12/27/24
James Lamson McLennan, 89 of Skaneateles passed away Friday December 27, 2024 at Auburn Memorial Hospital. Born in Syracuse, to the late William and Doris McLennan and married for 60 years to the late Robin Lutzy McLennan. Jim graduated from Syracuse University with a Degree in Marketing and Transportation. He served 30 years in the New York Air National Guard and was Commander of the 138th Fighter Squadron at Hancock Air National Guard Base. He also was an airline sales representative for 30+ years with KLM and Northwest/Delta airlines and an Honorary Emerald Ambassador to the island of Aruba. He was a lifelong Syracuse University sports fan and a member of the Skaneateles Country Club.
Jim is survived by his sons Brad (Joni) of Skaneateles and Todd (Julie) of Florida. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Patrick (Elizabeth Rogalia), Elizabeth (Leif) Sve, and Jamie (Jude Renzi) as well as a sister Ruth Schermerhorn of Skaneateles, nieces and nephews and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.
Calling hours for Jim/Skinny will be held on Saturday Jan 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Robert D. Gray Funeral Home, 49 Jordan St., Skaneateles. Following there will be a reception at the Sherwood Inn for friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Smile Train, https://smiletrain.org.
Online condolences for the family may be left at robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
Ohhhh, Darn It All! Skinny was supposed to live forever! He and Robin met my mom and dad in Aruba back in the 1980’s and my sister in law and I were on the happy Island at Bugaloe on DePalm Pier, a fun watering hole bar restaurant on Palm Beach. I went to the bathroom and came back and Stacey was sitting next to Robin and Jim now at the bar. She looked at me and said, you need to meet Robin and Jim from Skeaneatles. So, I shook their hands and then Robin said: “We need to call Ken and Nancy and tell them we met one another!” I’m like what? You know my folks? I LOVE THIS! So…
I learned of Skinny's passing while overseas, and it was only a few days earlier I was talking with Todd who had Jim next to him watching the game. So it was shocking to read this and my apologies for the late reply.
The McLennans were always so welcoming and fun when I would visit them, and Skinny was really one of a kind and the kind of person we all could aspire to be.
I still have the "Go Ugly Early" sticker that Skinny gave me years ago. He was always the coolest guy in the room.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Jim.
Bill & Yuko Michie
So sorry for your loss. Always a great time talking to Skinny at the Sherwood after Lions Club meetings. He was always smiling. RIP
We hope that memories of "Skinny" and his exploits will bring your Family great joy and peace in the future. He was full of life and set a great example to all of us to live life to it's fullest!
Skinny was legendary in the unit until the day he retired….and beyond! I expected him to live forever. Sad. RIP