The Passing of a Beloved Professor Who Defined an Era at Our Institution

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. James Timothy Como, professor of Speech, Rhetoric, and Public Communication at York College, CUNY, for nearly 50 years.

Dr. Como passed away on November 24 (2025) at age 79, in Bucharest, Romania. Professor Como launched his career at York College in 1968, a year after the College opened its doors to its first cohort of students. The gifted scholar was a mere 22 years old, having sped through high school and his first two degrees. He retired from York as Professor Emeritus in 2017.

Born in East Harlem, Jim graduated from Long Island City High School two years early and went on to obtain advanced degrees from Queens College (MA Public and Group Communication), Fordham University (MA Medieval English Literature) and Columbia University (PhD Language, Literature and Communication). He co-founded the New York C.S. Lewis Society.

Dr. Como was approximately four years older than his first students at York. The alumni community will long remember him for his teaching and caring. His introductory Speech class was a required course for all students, so he met and taught thousands of them and wrote countless graduate school referrals. A Jim Como referral would almost guarantee the applicant would be viewed favorably for a spot in their program and school of choice.

But he didn't just teach subject matters; Professor Como's classes were an extra joy for the anecdotes and opinions he shared. Early in life, he was an amateur boxer inspired by the legendary Muhammad Ali and would pepper his speeches, debates, and other forms of communication with boxing metaphors regaling his love of the sport.

"I knew that Jim grew up in East Harlem at a time when it was a changing neighborhood, with various ethnic groups vying for control, with the Italian community becoming dominated by others," said Dr. Donna Chirico, a York colleague and friend. "Because of this, I asked him to come and speak with my Italian Studies class about his experiences. They had already learned about the likes of LaGuardia and Marcantonio. Jim came to talk about how easy it was for a teenage boy to get into trouble, but his salvation was boxing. Thanks to the social programs established there by LaGuardia and others, he was encouraged to get involved with the Police Athletic League and discovered he was a talented athlete who went on to become a Golden Gloves champ and local hero."

But it was the teachings of Christian apologist [C.S.] that held him in its thrall throughout his life. He studied him, quoted him, wrote about him and referenced him throughout his life. One could describe him as the "scholar of record" on C.S. Lewis, and his knowledge and enthusiasm have made disciples of many; two of his most popular books are inevitably on Lewis: C.S. Lewis: A Very Short Introduction and Branches to Heaven.

Other works can also be found online.

Reflections from former students and faculty show an educator, scholar and man, who was adored and admired. York College President Dr. Claudia Schrader had not met him, but based on an update from Dr. Chirico, who had had lunch with Professors Como and Howard Ruttenberg over the summer; and Schrader's own research online, had this to say to the college community: "He was quite an academic force to be reckoned with. He joined York in 1968, was a founding member of the C.S. Lewis Society, co-founded the Department of Performing and Fine Arts, which he chaired for 15 years, and made indelible and global contributions to rhetorical theory and as a journalist.

York alum Robert Sinclair, Jr. of the Class of 1990, who majored in Speech with Rhetorical Composition, is happy that he had lunch with Dr. Como and his wife in October and saw him as his usual intellectually vibrant and cheerful self. He described the impact the College and Como have had on his life; and why they had remained close in the 35 years since he graduated from York.

"In so many different ways, York has been instrumental in the success of my personal and professional lives," said Sinclair, senior manager, Public Affairs for AAA Northeast, and known as “the face of AAA.” "I went to graduate school in Korea because of York College. Professor Como heard about the scholarship for Black students to study in Korea and recommended me for the opportunity. Studying in Korea was the best time of my life. But every time someone comments on my skills as a public speaker, etc. I say 'Professor Como at York College.'"

Dr. George White, dean of the York College School of Arts and Sciences, met the legendary professor and spoke admiringly of him. 

"Dr. James Como was adored by hundreds of faculty colleagues and thousands of students with whom he crossed paths during his decades-long service at York," said Dean White. "Jim was a master teacher and a riveting public speaker who mentored countless pupils beyond the subject matter of his courses. I got to know Jim through my department friends, Howard Ruttenberg and Bob Parmet, and enjoyed listening to the stories the three of them would share about the "good ol' days" at the College. And I tried to incorporate some of Jim's interpersonal communication techniques into my own classes. Even in retirement, Jim occasionally returned to campus to speak at various public events and continued to dazzle with his prowess and wit. He will be sorely missed by all "Yorkies" who knew him."

Dr. Como, who had been in Romania for a talk at the C. S. Lewis & Kindred Spirits Conference – "Received, Reflected, Reinvented," paid tribute to him in the aftermath of his passing.

He will be profoundly missed amongst us, and while York mourns his loss, it is appropriate to understand, as C.S. Lewis said, "Grief turns out to be not a state but a process." We will long remember James Timothy Como, who gave so much to York and the scholarship community.

Dr. Como he is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Alejandra (Xandra), his son, James E. Como, his daughter H. Alexandra Como Saghir, his son-in law, Peter Saghir and his two favorite people on earth- his grandchildren, Luke and Scarlett Saghir. The funeral mass will be held on December 22, at 10 a.m. at The Church of St. Thomas Moore, 65 East 89th St., Manhattan. To read the eulogy visit: James Timothy Como Obituary November 24, 2025 - Legacy.com