Syracuse/Brockport: December 10, 2025. James is predeceased by his wife, Phyllis LeGro; parents, Carmen & Eleanor LeGro; sisters, Jane Smith & Jean LeGro; daughter-in-law, Sophia Anastos. He is survived by his children, Jeff (Pearl Ratunil) LeGro, Peter (Leanne) LeGro, & Andrea (Christopher) Ruggieri; grandchildren, Alexandra Ruggieri, Erika Ruggieri, Matthew LeGro, Megan LeGro, Sammuel LeGro; siblings, Jon (Therese) LeGro; brother-in-law, Gary Smith; nieces, nephews, cousins, & dear friends.

Services & burial will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, 514 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13204, https://www.syracusehabitat.org/donate in Jim’s memory.

The Life and Times of Jim LeGro

Rev. Jim LeGro was as real and as human as one can get. His life was spent writing words to inspire, motivate, change your perspective, bring peace, give grace to others or to yourself. He shared his words, as this was his calling to help others with their struggles. He was never presumptuous or pushy. He gently encouraged people.

Jim was born and raised in the beautiful New York finger lakes region, specifically on Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, NY with his brother, Jon and sisters, Jean and Jane. His parents, Carmen and Eleanor, had a place on the lake where many family gatherings took place. Growing up on the lakeside inspired him to learn how to sail and this became a love of his, a skill he passed on to his kids later on.

As a young adult, Jim thought he wanted to be an engineer and started that journey at the University of Rochester. Somewhere along the way, he was invited to Syracuse University to visit his childhood friend, Helen. He no sooner stepped into her college house when Helen’s friend Phyllis came into his view. This was a moment that led to many more with him and Phyllis. Before too long there was beautiful wedding.

Jim’s outlook changed, and he felt the call to become a pastor. Phyllis’s father was a Methodist minister, which likely moved him in this direction. With Phyllis’s blessing, they packed up and left New York and Jim started at Garrett Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. They met many lifelong friends while in Evanston and started their family there where son, Jeff was born. Jim and Phyllis eventually moved back to central New York and had two more children, Pete and Andrea.

Jim led several United Methodist churches in the Upper New York area; South Onondaga, Marcellus, Newark, Liverpool, Rochester, and Borodino, as well as directed retreat centers in Pennsylvania and Indiana. He enjoyed being involved with church youth groups, inspiring them to be good people and explore the world around them. At his last church, he asked the kids where they’d like to go and they said, “Alaska!” And off they went.

Jim visited people in need no matter where they were – homes, hospitals, prisons. He just saw people in need and wanted to help. This led him on a mission to Africa. This led him to being a part of the Chinese Reconciliation Project in Tacoma, WA to promote healing, diversity and understanding between cultures and religion. All along the way, making friendships and leaving a trail of positivity.

He and Phyllis, early in their marriage, dreamed of creating a place for their family to come together over the years. They found this paradise on Otisco Lake. His love of the finger lakes was passed on to his children and grandchildren. The grandkids can’t go unnamed as they are part of his legacy, Matthew, Megan, Sam, Ally, and Erika. The number of memories created with family and friends at this little cabin in the woods on a beautiful lake are too numerous to count. Sailing – Skiing – Fishing – Bonfires – Grilling out – Swimming – King of the Raft – Hiking – Card Games – and just happy quiet time.

Jim was a dedicated runner, then biker then as his health would allow, a walker. Let’s not forget his love of finding and chopping as much wood as humanly possible! He loved to spend time with family, friends and people that needed a hand.

Jim was so many things to so many people. He was a kind, compassionate, patient, and generous person. He taught many lessons on giving grace to people, as we are not perfect – on enjoying life – on not being afraid to try something new. And that life isn’t perfect; it’s not always what we expect it to be, but it is still GOOD, so “Just Keep Going.”