Most mornings started the same way for James Westover. He'd stop at the gas station for a cup of coffee, trade a few words with whoever was at the counter, and then take the long way home. He never took the main road if a back road would do. He drove slow, coffee in hand, watching the field edges and the tree lines for deer. Some people read the paper in the morning. James read the woods.

He died at home on November 5, 2026, with deer season underway. He was 76.

James was born October 18, 1950, to the late James and Regina Westover, in Moriah, a short drive from Westport, the town he would spend most of his life looking after. On May 29, 1971, he married Marlene, and for the next fifty-three years she was part of everything he did. Losing her on June 23, 2024, was a weight he carried quietly, the way he carried most things.

If you lived in Westport any time in the last half century and heard the siren go off, there's a good chance James was already pulling on his boots. He was a member of the Westport Fire Department for fifty years and led it as a past Chief. He also served on the Westport Emergency Squad, where he was a past Captain. That kind of service means dinners left on the table, holidays cut short, and a lot of nights when the call came at the worst possible hour. He went anyway, year after year, for neighbors he knew by name and plenty he didn't.

He didn't stop there. He served as Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus and sat on the Essex County Fair Board and Westport Town Board for several years each. James wasn't one for speeches about community. He just kept showing up.

When he wasn't answering a call or sitting through a meeting, he was in the woods. James was a dedicated hunter, the kind who knew the land as well as he knew his own driveway. Hunting season wasn't just a few weeks on the calendar for him. It was the whole year, from scouting in the spring to the back-road drives every morning, coffee in the cupholder, counting deer.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Marlene; his parents; and his father-in-law, Clifton LaRock.

He is survived by his children Nicole (Benjamin) Sudduth and Brian (Christine) Westover; his grandchildren Mallory (Dmitry) Ermakov, Megan (Zackary) Miller, Ian Westover (Karah Curran), and Alexandria Westover; his great-grandchildren, Hazel Ermakov and Luke Emrakov; his brothers David Westover; Douglas (Gwen) Westover, Dennie Westover; and his sister Jana (Terry) Atwell; his mother-in-law Alice LaRock; his sister-in-law Catherine (William) McMahon; and his brother-in-law Donald (Jodi) LaRock.

If you're out early this month with a cup of coffee, take the long way home. Slow down and watch the tree line for a while. That's how James would do it.

The family would like to thank the inpatient and ER staff of Elizabethtown Community Hospital, CVPH ECC, and R-4 staff, Dr. Demuro, and Dr. Rowland. A very special thank you to Dr. Lodha, who was Jim's savior.

Services to honor James will be held at Westport Fire Department in Westport on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Visitation will take place at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 at the Fire Department. Interment will follow the service in the St. Philip Neri parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the Westport Fire Department, PO Box 226, Westport, NY 12993.

Services were entrusted to Heidrick-Zaumetzer Funeral Home, PO Box 127, 3 College St., Au Sable Forks, NY 12912.