James Peter Zaimes, of Summitville, NY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 14. Jim was 80 years old and had a storied past in local and state, and national politics and government. Jim graduated from Middletown High School and attended Orange County Community College. Jim had a great love for the outdoors, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and rarely missed an opening day of deer or trout season. He loved, raised, trained and lived with many animals, including dogs, cats, horses, mules and even guinea hens. In his early years, during and after high school, Jim helped run a large family dairy farm.

In his later years Jim was a leader in politics and had an extensive network of friends and colleagues at the local, state and national levels. Jim loved and thrived in politics and campaigns. He had an innate knack for knowing public opinion and how to get leaders elected. He was President of the Young Republican Club in the Town of Wallkill, where he got his love of politics. He was also Vice Chairman of the Orange County GOP, served as the New York Field Director for Ronald Reagan’s campaign, and served in The Department of Agriculture under President Reagan. He also was a leader and advisor to many other state and national-level campaigns, including working for NY State Senator Richard E. Schermerhorn in the 1980’s, and for Presidential campaigns for Jack Kemp, and for Senator Arlen Specter.

Jim is survived by his long-time partner, Patty Adam, his sons Peter and Benjamin Zaimes, his sister Nancy Michaels, and her family, Robert (Wendy) Michaels and Chris (Melinda) Michaels; brother William (Jaime) Zaimes and his sons, William and Justin Zaimes. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Lila and Peter J. Zaimes, and his sister Lilian Blitzer, mother of Zoe Culcher.

Family and friends were invited to Visitation at the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave. in Middletown, NY on Monday, August 19 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, with a funeral service following at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. Burial followed at the Poplar Grove Cemetery at 180 Phillipsport Rd, North, in Phillipsport, NY (about 1 mile off of Route 209). [(845) 888-3357]

Please do not send flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Orange And Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, N.Y. 12550.