James “Jim” Thomas Strouse, 85, of Milton, Vt., and Naples, Fla., died on April 15, 2026, with his family by his side.
Jim was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on December 28, 1940, the youngest child of Herbert and Lillian (Marion) Strouse.
He attended Fairfield Prep and Saint Michael’s College, served three years in the U.S. Army, and earned his master’s degree from Northwestern University.
Jim married Margaret Mary Heyer on December 28, 1968, in Rochester, N.Y. Together they raised six children on Killarney Drive in the New North End of Burlington. It was the greatest place in the world to raise kids.
Jim’s Catholic faith was the important and sustaining aspect of his life. He was a parishioner at St. Mark Church in Burlington for over 50 years. He served on the Parish Council as well as the Diocesan Finance Committee.
Jim was an active member of the Burlington community for many years. He was president of the Burlington Retirement Board, president and a founder of the Vermont City Marathon, and on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club, the Burlington International Games (BIG), and BAHA. For years he could be found trackside at Burlington High School volunteering alongside Mary.
In his work life, Jim was a trust banker starting at the Farmer’s Trust Company, then the Merchant’s Bank, Vermont National Bank and Chittenden Bank, eventually retiring from People’s United Bank. He made many friendships in the business community and at the Ethan Allen Club. His counsel was sought well after his retirement, and he continued to travel to conferences around the country.
Jim loved a good joke, a good drink and good people. But he loved his family most of all.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; his children and their spouses: James Jr. and Gabriela (Tufo), Margaret, Sarah and Daniel Curry, Joseph and Stacy (Chiappinelli), Elizabeth and Bryan Connolly, and Brittany Isabelle; and his grandchildren: Theresa and James Strouse; Caroline Limanek, Madeline Cook, Sophia and Mariela Strouse; Amelia and Elizabeth Curry; Mary and Irene Strouse; and Lillian, William, Jack and Caroline Connolly. He was predeceased by two sons, infant John Robert (1980) and William George (2017), and his siblings. He also leaves a large network of extended family, including nine brothers and sisters-in-law and their spouses and dozens of nieces and nephews. He was very fond of the in-law families that became a part of his.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., at LaVigne Funeral Home, 132 Main St., Winooski, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 11 a.m., at St. Mark Church in Burlington. Burial will be held privately at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please say a prayer, light a candle or donate to your favorite cause. He will be greatly missed. To send condolences to his family, please visit vtfuneralhomes.com.