Jim Lawrence was a son, husband, father, grandfather, maritime entrepreneur and industry ambassador. He was a founding member of the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA), the CMA Shipping Conference, and maritime entrepreneur (Marine Money, MTI Networks and International Marketing Strategies, Inc).
He served on the Boards of the CMA Education Foundation and the Seaman’s Church Institute. He is missed and remembered by so many. The CMA Education Foundation is truly grateful to all who have donated to make this annual scholarship to honor his legacy possible.
James Lawrence Obituary
James R. Lawrence, 70, died on Sunday, June 1, 2025, in Mount Kisco, New York. He was with family and loved ones. His passing came after a months-long battle with cancer.
Jim was born in New York City in August 1954 to Richard and Starr Lawrence. The family moved from Manhattan to Mount Kisco in 1955. Jim attended the Rippowam Cisqua and Harvey schools and later Milton Academy and Middlebury College, from which he graduated in 1977. After college he moved back to New York City, where following a stint at Art in America magazine he embarked on what would be a lifelong career in international shipping — starting at Lloyd’s List before going on to found the publishing and events company Marine Money, the Connecticut Maritime Association, and the crisis communications company MTI Network. He loved his work, the many people he worked with, and all the travel the jobs entailed.
Some other things Jim — Jimmy, Jingo — loved: his countless friends, his beautiful home in Mount Kisco, projects of any kind, Block Island, his dogs, swimming and body surfing, Parcheesi and hearts. He climbed some of the tallest mountains in Asia, Africa, and North America. He kept bees and chickens and made jams and pies and maple syrup for friends and neighbors and strangers. His gardens were a bounty of flowers and vegetables, which were regularly donated to local families in need through Neighbors Link. He took his mother to church every Sunday.
He walked 10,000 steps every day. He painted a watercolor every day. His pool was open from April to November, and for those months he swam every day. He loved the Christmas season, decorating his house in elaborate light displays, attending holiday celebrations around the world, and ensuring everyone stocking was bursting with gifts. He was a world traveler, with favorite spots in Japan, Greece, Italy, Mexico, and Jamaica that he would visit year after year. He was a lifelong Yankees fan.
He built an impressive wine collection in his basement. He maintained a weekly tennis group at Chestnut Ridge Racquet Club for over 30 years. He coached Bedford Youth Soccer and was a Girl Scout leader for his daughters. He loved his family more than anything. He filled his life to the brim.
He is survived by his wife, Jill Owesny Lawrence, and two daughters, Dr. Katharine Lawrence and Alexa Chia, as well as his two brothers, Richard and Philip Lawrence; his mother, Starr Oliver Lawrence; and his four grandchildren, Oliver James and Robinson Chia, and Starr and Lazar Tatarinov, who will remember Baba every time we have an adventure.
