James Cypher

James R. Cypher of Beacon, NY, Formally of Connellsville, PA, passed away at home on February 17 2011. He was 75. Mr. Cypher was born on April 5, 1935 to James and Marietta Metcalf Cypher in Connellsville, PA. He was in the Army and learned Electronics fixing radio’s for the Army Security Agency while stationed in Japan, he attended San Jose State were he ran track, and studied English and Journalism, he worked for IBM for over 25 years, many capacities and locations doing communications and editing for Internal Publications and for their public and press relations, and afterwards as a consultant before he was a successful literary agent and book editor to several authors. He was well traveled and an avid photographer and teacher, music lover, concert attendee, and was involved with Beacon’s artistic, literary and political communities for many years. He was a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives and a Member-at-Large of The Authors Guild. He won several awards for his writing and photography in his career. Reading and writing was his passion for most of his life along with electronics and computers. He would correct the Sunday New York Times for fun. His keen wordsmithing gained him recognition among many of his peers. He participated in many ways in the development of many writers careers but was so humble he refused to write a book himself, as he enjoyed helping others be their best. He enjoyed tennis before pursuing photography and turning that hobby into much more after his retirement from IBM. Survivors include his wife Ann Cypher, a son James L. Cypher, a daughter Elspeth B. Cypher, his former wife Beverly A. Baughman, his stepchildren; Morgan, Michael & Gwen Donohue, Elizabeth and her husband Michael Phelan, Laura Donohue Bell, and Anne and her husband David Schmidt, two sisters Ora Louise Spicer, Ethelyn Richardson, two brothers, Brian and David Cypher, 1 step-brother Richard DeAngelis, several grandchildren nieces and nephews. . Predeceased by his parents, Step-father, Dr. M,C, DeAngelis. Brothers Daniel and Robert Cypher and step-sister Carol Lee DeAngelis The family will receive their friends for a memorial visitation Wednesday February 23, 2011 between 6-9PM at Libby Funeral Home 55 Teller Ave Beacon, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to the Howland Cultural Center Beacon, NY Also you may sign the guest book online at the http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com Date Of Service 02/23/2011 Location Of Service Libby Funeral Home, Inc. Beacon, NY