Jim leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Susan Ossanna Wong; daughters Emilia and Abigail; and three granddaughters.

Jim was born June 15, 1951, in Rockville Center, N.Y., to William and Emy Lee Wong. Jim graduated from Whippany Park (N.J.) High School in 1969. At Princeton Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. At Yale he earned a master’s degree in 1975 and a Ph.D. in 1978, both in biology.

Jim and Susan married in 1974. He joined Ohio State University as assistant professor in 1980. In 1983 Jim left academia for a job in bio-tech. Jim was diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease in 1994 and continued working for the next 11 years. In 2005 he became involved in advocacy for Parkinson’s research and patient participation in clinical trials. In 2010 Jim joined the OC Tremble Clefs, a singing group for people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.

Despite the impact of Parkinson’s, Jim walked both of his daughters down the aisle and met all three of his grandchildren. Jim will be remembered for his intellect, his wit and humor, the fabulous meals he cooked, and how he did everything he could to care for his family.