James J. McSharry

James John McSharry, Ph.D., a prominent scientist and professor, devoted husband and father, and loving grandfather, entered eternal life on September 29, 2026. He was born May 28, 1942, to John Thomas McSharry and Marie Weakland McSharry. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers John Thomas II and Joseph (Joe), and his beloved wife of 57 years, Marti. He is survived by his children, Karen (Henry) and Patrick (Julie); his grandchildren, Fiona McSharry, Emily Meier, Grady McSharry, and Allison Meier; and his sister, Marie, and her family, along with his nephews and nieces.

Family lore is that Marti taught James everything he knew about Microbiology while she was a med tech and he was a doctoral student at the University of Virginia (MS '67, Ph., D. '71). The Yankee fell in love with the Southern Belle with a strong independent streak, and the rest is history. They married at the University Chapel, and Karen was born later that year, leaving both sets of grandparents wondering how the student and stay-at-home mother would survive. Stubborn and determined to their cores, they not only survived but also thrived. Patrick was born two short years later, and once Jim finished his doctorate, the family moved to New York City, where Jim completed his postdoctoral work at Rockefeller University. Jim always loved the City and even reveled in the chore of bringing the family laundry back and forth to their fifth-floor walk-up.

Jim moved to Bethlehem in 1973 to become a Professor of Virology, Immunology, and Microbiology at Albany Medical College, where he could continue his research. He developed a passion for teaching that matched his dedication to research. Jim's core expertise was in developing rapid, highly sensitive diagnostic techniques for complex viruses, including HIV, RSV, and influenza. He was Professor Emeritus at Albany Medical College and worked for a time at Ordway Research Institute. Early in his career, he also served as an adjunct biology professor at St. Rose. He was a fellow and served on the American Society for Microbiology Board of Directors, allowing him to learn from and collaborate with peers around the globe. He was a longtime benefactor of his undergraduate alma mater, Manhattan College (BS, '65).

In his spare time, Jim devotedly followed the Fighting Irish and enjoyed reading nonfiction—mostly about science, but also about history and politics. Jim taught his children how to body surf at his beloved Jersey Shore, participated in Scouts with Patrick, and enjoyed taking the extended family to Ocean City, Maryland, where he stood watch over the grandkids in the ocean, flew kites with them, and watched the world go by from the balcony.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers Jim was blessed to have: Kim, Mo, CeCe, Nellie, and Shaniek. In lieu of flowers, Jim may be honored through a gift to Friends of Bethlehem Seniors (Friends of Bethlehem Seniors | Formerly Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc.).

A memorial service will be held at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar on Saturday, October 17 beginning at 2:00 pm.