James D. Carroll

James Dennis Carroll, 77, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side, under the care of Cornerstone Hospice on November 4, 2026. James was born in Plattsburgh, NY to his loving parents, George and Jean (Kanaly) Carroll.

Jim and his wife Gale (Lapham) were high school sweethearts and graduated together in 1967 from Peru High School in Peru, NY. Jim earned an associate’s degree in business management from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, and then a bachelor’s degree in business education from Husson College in Bangor, Maine. Jim and Gale were married on June 19, 1971, at St. John's Church in Plattsburgh, New York.

Jim and Gale lived in northern Vermont for eight years. Jim taught business at Lake Region Union High School in Orleans, Vermont. Jim and Gale returned home to Plattsburgh in 1981, where Jim began his career as a banker at Champlain Valley Savings and Loan. Jim was steadfast during the waves of bank mergers and served as the Plattsburgh Branch Manager. Upon retirement from banking, Jim earned his real estate license and worked at Duley and Associates for several years. After Gale’s retirement, Jim and Gale began snow birding from New York to Florida in 2015 upon purchasing a home in The Villages, FL.

Jim was recognized for distinguished service by several organizations including Lake Region Union High School; St. John's Church, serving as Chairman of the interior restoration and awarded The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross (the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Pope, awarded to Jim for his outstanding service to the Church by Pope Francis); and Lake Forest Senior Living, in Plattsburgh, for his leadership as Charter President and Board Member.

Jim experienced several health issues over the years. On April 18, 2018, Jim had a double lung transplant at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL. The transplant enabled Jim to gain 8 years of life. Jim and his family were extremely grateful to the donor, and the donor's family, for this remarkable gift, and to the superb medical staff at Shands for the excellent care they provided during his pre and post-transplant journey. The

caring staff at Cornerstone Hospice House provided peace and comfort during Jim's final days.

Jim was an avid gardener and loved music. Jim and Gale (both former high school marching band members) enjoyed attending band and orchestra concerts in The Villages. Jim greatly appreciated the amazing talent of the resident musicians, and those who shared their talents in the Villages Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jim will be remembered fondly by his friends and family for his dry wit, his kindness and patience, and for being a truly gentle man. He is survived by several cousins; his wife of 55 years, Gale Carroll; his daughter Kelley Ann Carlsen and her husband Brian of Mechanicsville, VA, and their two children, Jack (17) and Kate (14). Jim was extremely proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments.

James was preceded in passing by his parents, George and Jean Carroll, his brother John Carroll, and infant brother Thomas Carroll.

There will be a Celebration of Life at Hiers Baxley Funeral Home on Wedgewood Lane in The Villages on December 5, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, and a Mass at St. John's Catholic Church in Plattsburgh, NY, at the convenience of the family during the summer of 2027.

Those wishing to make a donation in Jim's memory may send contributions to the Lung Transplant Program at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, FL; Cornerstone Hospice House in The Villages, FL; or St. John's Church in Plattsburgh, NY.