James T. Kofron

James T. Kofron, Jr. peacefully left this life comforted by family and caregivers, just shy of his 97^th birthday. He was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on March 11, 1928, to Mary (Heretick) and James T. Kofron, Sr. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946. After an honorable discharge, he attended the University of Notre Dame and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in Chemistry. He settled in Rochester, NY, where he enjoyed a distinguished career as an Eastman Kodak research scientist, culminating in co-inventing chemistry that revolutionized film photography and earning him and his lab partner the Photographic Society of America 1988 Progress Award and the Inventor of the Year Award from the Rochester Intellectual Property Law Association in 1991. Most importantly to him, in 1958, he met Mary Fraver, who he wed in 1960 and with whom he shared a loving life and raised four children. He was known for his thoughtfulness, kindness, intelligence, and wit. Besides cherishing his wife and family, he had a love for gardening, literature, the outdoors, and the arts, attending Glimmerglass and The Canadian Opera Company regularly with Mary. In addition to his generosity with his family and friends, he supported causes aligned with improving the human condition and social justice. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, James T. Kofron, Sr. and Mary Heretick Kofron; and siblings Joanna Kofron and Stephen Kofron.  He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Mary (nee’ Fraver); children, James, Matthew (Kelly), Stephen (Leslie), Mary Ann (Mike); grandchildren Maxwell, Grace, Noah, Anna, Hattie, Ada and Michael; siblings W. Gerald and Katherine (Collins); and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Mr. Grey’s Strays (Donate to Mr. Grey’s Strays) or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at the family’s convenience in the near future.