Obituary

BUTTENWIESER–James Lawrence 1951–2021 Jim Buttenwieser passed away in New York City on March 17, 2021 of complications from Covid-19.

He was born in New York City to Clarence and Helene Buttenwieser on February 13, 1951. He went to schools in New York City, The Frederick Gunn School (formerly The Gunnery) and attended Columbia University. Jim was a passionate and great admirer of the Classics, and was also often heard quoting either Voltaire or Immanuel Kant in their respective language; he was an especially avid admirer and student of the literature and culture of France.

He was always a passionate writer himself trying to emulate his role models. Always very proud of the contributions of his forbears in the German Jewish community of New York to the cultural and commercial vitality of New York City, he especially loved opera, enjoying many an afternoon at the Metropolitan Opera or at the radio’s side on a Saturday.

Given his great love for education and the humanities, he established the Clarence and Helene Buttenwieser Scholarship at the Frederick Gunn School to be awarded for outstanding creativity and achievement in the fields of drama, art, music and the humanities. His family will remember Jim as a kind, old-world gentleman with a “great heart” who not only perfected the written note but evidenced throughout his life a joyous sense of humor and a great dedication to the welfare and happiness of others — we may only wish that he rests in peace.

He is survived by his great friend of 26 years, Lidia Sadowska-Golinski and several cousins. A memorial service was held at the site of the Buttenwieser Family Mausoleum at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York, on Tuesday, March 23, at 1:30pm.

Please honor Jim by making a donation to the Clarence and Helene Buttenwieser Scholarship. Checks can be mailed to Sean Brown, Chief Development Officer, The Frederick Gunn School, 99 Green Hill Road, Washington, CT 06793, or gifts can be made online at https://www.frederickgunn.org/giving/make-a-gift.