James R "Percy" Wilson

James Robert Wilson died in his Schuyler Falls home near dawn on July 5th in the care of loving family. Born August 28, 1946 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of George W. and Mae F. Wilson (nee. Turner). His home, located along the Salmon River in the center of the town, is the same one his mother was raised in and is adjacent to a historically-noted stone grist mill owned by his mother's family for over 150 years - and still owned by James at his passing.
During James' youth, he lived in Schenectady, Schuyler Falls, Keeseville, and then East Hartford, CT, where he attended Penny High School, frequent moves being occasioned by his father's occupation designing bridges for the interstate highway system.
After high school in 1964 James owned two different coffee shops in Hartford, CT, one on Church Street, where the Hartford Stage Company is now located and the other across from Union Place, where the train station is located.
James left Hartford for New York City in 1966, first moving to Staten Island where he owned an antiques store, and then to midtown Manhattan, which was his primary residence for the next 30 years.
James had a lifelong keen interest in the cultures and histories of different ancient civilizations, with a particularly strong appreciation for Native American Indian life, culture, and art. He also greatly appreciated old American art, textiles, and craftsmanship and made selling antiques his longtime occupation.
James, known as "Percy" to many of his friends and family, possessed a curiosity about the world, a positive motivation for experiences and adventure and a genuine appreciation of individuals throughout his life.
As a teenager, James hitchhiked from Hartford to San Francisco. He travelled to Egypt and got mistakenly locked overnight in the Great Pyramid. He sailed the Caribbean, travelled Mexico (where he cliff dived), Europe, India and Nepal, visiting their ancient and sacred sites. He cared for nephews and sons for weeks at a time in the summer, cruising the North Country and Park in his classic F150 king cab. He also cruised Lake Champlain with family and friends in his cabin cruiser, "Boat," often going where the other people weren't. He travelled all across the country often visiting some of his many good friends. In the 1990's he lived in West Hollywood, California, exploring much of the southern half of the state. He also had an art gallery there.
In addition to the few very good local friends who frequently visited, friends from far away trekked up to his 200-year old home by the Salmon River to visit him even in the later stages of his life, evenings spent enjoying company and sharing stories on his uniquely-decorated sunporch or by a camp fire close to the bank of the splashing, gurgling Salmon River.
Percy, what a life and what a person!
He is profoundly missed by all those who knew him!
We will always miss you! We will always love you, Percy!
Percy is preceded by his son Trevor who passed in 2016. His passing providing Percy with a profound heartache for the remainder of his life.
He is also recently preceded by his older brother, Ronnie, who passed in June 2020.
He is succeeded by his two sons, Ian and Eric, by brothers George and Gary, sister Nancy, and their families; grandchildren Kate and Henry and daughter-in-law Sarah.
Percy’s body was laid to rest July 7, 2021 in the Spirit Sanctuary of the Adirondacks in Essex, NY.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.