In Memoriam: James “Jim” W. Rood Jr.

The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors regrets to inform its membership of the passing of longtime Realtor and Affiliate James “Jim” W. Rood Jr. on Nov. 28, 2021. Rood passed away after a valiant battle with colon cancer at the age of 64.

Rood was an Environmental Engineer and he ran his own company, Lighthouse Environmental Services in Carmel. He loved the outdoors and he had a great passion for hunting, fishing and shooting.

Aside from being a licensed Realtor, as founder and owner of Lighthouse Environmental, Jim was an invaluable resource to real estate professionals and their clients. His extensive knowledge and years of experience regarding anything and everything related to environmental issues was readily shared and cannot easily be replicated. He was a staunch supporter of the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors for decades and was a welcome fixture at the association’s annual Members’ Day with his sense of humor and basket of apples. He was an avid educator, teaching courses to Realtors on mold, radon, lead and other environmental hazards. He also served as the first, and still the only, male president of the Women’s Council of Realtors Empire Chapter. He was honored with the prestigious Westchester County Board of Realtors’ Affiliate of the Year award in 2004 for his many contributions to the industry.

He will be greatly missed by everyone fortunate to have known him.

Jim Rood was a staunch supporter of HGAR and its predecessor organizations. He is pictured (left) at his company’s booth at WCBR’s Annual Meeting in 2005 and (right) at HGAR’s 2019 Annual Meeting.

He was born in Newfoundland, Canada on May 27, 1957, to James and Dorothy (Arlotta) Rood Sr. He married the love of his life, Debra Bisignano, on March 19, 1983 in Port Chester.

Rood is survived by his beloved wife Debra, his four siblings, Keith and wife Roberta, Frank and wife Patty, Caroline and husband Gary Woodruff and Margaret Zeller. Along with nieces Nikki and Victoria and nephews Dameon, Bobby, Zach, Patrick, Alex and Greg. He also leaves numerous loving family members and many lifelong friends.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021 at Cargain Funeral Home, 10 Fowler Ave., Carmel, NY. A Memorial Celebration of Life to honor and celebrate James’s life will be held the same day at 12:30 P.M. at the funeral home. A private cremation has taken place.