James Francis Gonynor

James F. Gonynor (‘Jimmie’) was born on Feb. 20, 1934, in Whitinsville, Mass. and passed away at home in Las Vegas ,N.M. on April 7, 2025, at the age of 91. 

He grew up in Whitinsville, Mass., and was a graduate of St. Peter’s High School, where he served as Class President and had the lead role in their annual musical “Green Cheese.” He received his BA in Business and Sociology from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass., and attended Boston College Law School, Chestnut Hill, Mass., and at Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Mass. 

Jimmie started his business career in sales and marketing, first with two major breweries, then with Carter Ink Co.–where he launched the Hi-Lighter pen - and finally served as a sales and marketing executive at Magic Marker in New York City and then V.P. of Western Regional Sales in Los Angeles, Calif. 

He then launched his own businesses, including establishing a music school for children, publishing a guidebook for military personnel, and created a historical periodical called The Texas Historical Review. and a set of those published papers is stored at the University of Texas (Barker Collection). He also owned and operated his own cigar distribution company, before retiring and moving to Las Vegas, N.M. James is a U.S Navy Veteran who served duty on a ship in the Korean War. 

Jimmie loved to watch horse races and football games and loved driving one of his series of convertible cars. He was a man of many stories, the original deal maker and closer. When listening to his stories, including all his unpublished bear tales, you could relive his life as if you were there. He loved giving advice and helping people. 

Jimmie is survived by his Wife Carole Ruth; his Son Francis J. (Frank) and daughter-in-law Debbie, his 3 Sons-in-law Jeff Simons, Tyler Simons, Aaron Terry; his 3 Grandchildren- Brian, Caroline, Madeline; his Great grandson Nolan; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Jimmie was preceded in death by his father Frank J Gonynor, Sr. and his mother Rose A. Dulligan;6 Gonynor brothers -David F., Donald P., Robert F., Frank J. Jr., Richard T, and John J.; and 2 sisters – Barbara White and Ruth P. Gonynor. 

His burial will be with family at the VA National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. on Friday, May 9 at 1 p.m. His Life Celebration Service will be on May 10 at the United Methodist Church, 715 National Avenue at the corner of 8th Street in Las Vegas, N.M. at 10:30 a.m., with a reception following the service, held at noon at the historic El Fidel Hotel. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jimmie’s memory may be made to the College of the HolyCross, PO Box DEV, 1 College St. Worcester, MA 01610, or to The Food Depot, 1222 A Siler Road,Santa Fe, N.M. 87507.