James Clifford Wilcox

March 8, 1934 – May 5, 2026

James "Jim" Clifford Wilcox, 92, of Brookline, MA, died peacefully Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at his home.  He was the beloved husband of Susan Carignan Wilcox for forty-three years.

Born in Hope Valley, RI, he was the son of the late Clifford C. "Kippy" and Annie Mae (Williams) Wilcox.  He was predeceased by his brother, William C. Wilcox, formerly of Ashaway, RI.

Jim will be deeply missed by his two sons, daughter, and their families:  Gary Wilcox and his wife Ana Maria of Truro, MA; Bret Wilcox and his wife Naomi of Sharon, MA; and Karin Cassel Mitterando and her husband James of Cohasset, MA.  He was the loving grandfather of six:  Carolina, Alexandra, Saya, Koya, Montanna, and Tess and great grandfather of four:  Tristan, Sofia, Adrian, and Natalia.

After graduating from high school, Jim attended the University of Rhode Island.  When the Korean War broke out, he was given the opportunity for a new experience and enlisted in the Airforce.  As an airman, he found himself in California testing equipment for B-47 bombers.  He attributed his military service as being "probably one of the most important things he ever did [because] it opened up his mind."  During his free time, he spent a lot of time reading (Zane Grey novels) and exercising.  These two activities would lead to two possible directions that would forever alter the course of his life.  His superiors noticed Airman Wilcox was exceptionally fit—playing every sport available:  football, basketball, tennis, and especially baseball, playing for the Air Force baseball team.

After his stint in the Air Force, Jim discovered the joys of Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and Albert Camus.  He attended graduate school at the University of Rhode Island, and soon after, became a high school English teacher in Strathmore, CA.  He taught there for three years and decided to get his doctorate at Northern Illinois University.  While pursuing his doctoral studies, Jim attended a meeting for the Modern Language Association where he met a professor from the College of General Studies (CGS) at Boston University.  He had become interested in Rhetoric, and was drawn to CGS since they had a department specifically geared towards teaching students to write eloquently and effectively.

Jim was an Associate Professor of Humanities at the College of General Studies for 43 years, teaching both in the Rhetoric and Humanities Departments, focusing on Rhetoric, English Literature, Art History, and Philosophy.  Throughout his teaching career, he was beloved by many students, and remained a dedicated, energetic and highly engaging professor.  Former students have described him as possessing "graceful gestures, animated facial expressions, and constant motion resembling a mime performing a show, a dancer or a boxer ducking and weaving."  He reluctantly retired at age 77.

Throughout his married life with Susan, they took every opportunity to travel to Europe, studying art, opera, theatre, and culture.  In his travels, Jim would frequently meet former students in a museum, all of whom mentioned they were there because of his teachings.  London and Florence were particular favorites.

During his retirement, Jim continued his scholarly philosophy research, writing weekly essays that he sent to wide circle of family and friends.  Much to the chagrin of his children, he was an avid Yankee fan, as well as a supporter of Manchester United.

Donations may be made to the James Wilcox Undergraduate Research Fund at the College of General Studies, Boston University.