JAMES (JIM) LEVANDER of Camarillo, Calif., passed away at his home on June 29, 2011. He was 55 years old. He was born on May 21, 1956 in Danbury. His family moved to Stamford when he was 2 years old. He graduated from St. Leo Parish School and Trinity Catholic High School. Jim earned a degree in mechanical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J. Upon graduation, he moved to San Diego, Calif., where he earned a degree in Computer Science from Coleman College. He later moved to Camarillo where he was a Senior Database Developer and Manager of Research and Development at Famis and Accruent. Jim was known for his creative ingenuity and selfless giving. He was a talented potter, a wine enthusiast, and avid gardener, builder, mechanic, traveler and gourmet cook and baker. He served as treasurer on the board of the Ventura County Potters Guild for many years. Jim is survived by his loving wife of eleven years, Cyndy King LeVander; his stepson, Omer King of Calgary, AB, Canada; his parents, Grace and Carl LeVander of Stamford; his sister, Carleen Pratt and her husband, Bill of Newbury Park, Calif.; his brother, Mark LeVander and his wife, Diana of Wilton; his brother, Steven LeVander and his wife, Sue of Torrington; nephews, Tyler, Carson and Julian; and nieces, Meagan, Katie and Chelsea; and his uncle, James Casey and his wife, Michiko of Las Vegas, Nev. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Leo Church, 24 Roxbury Road (at Long Ridge Road), Stamford, CT on Thursday, August 25, 2011 at 11 a.m. Donations may be made in Jim's name to ALS National Headquarters, 1275 K Street, N.W., Suite 1050, Washington, DC, 20005 and specify that it is for research.
   [Stamford Advocate, August 21, 2011]