James L. Abernathy ’63

James L. Abernathy ’63, of New York City; Nov. 17, of complications related to the treatment of lymphoma. He held senior communications roles at ABC, CBS, and Warner Communications prior to founding Abernathy MacGregor in 1984, which grew to be a leading strategic and financial communications agency. Always willing to help those struggling with and recovering from alcoholism, and as director of The Caron Foundation, he helped to establish an alcohol and drug treatment program in the former Soviet Union in 1988 and in 1994 assisted in introducing that same program in Cuba. He also served as an overseer of the Brown University School of Medicine, a trustee emeritus of the Hackley School, a founder of Americans for Humanitarian Trade with Cuba, a member of the board of directors of The Caron Foundation, chairman of Caron New York, director of The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, and a former director of Episcopal Charities. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. He is survived by his wife, Kevin; three daughters, including Nell ’04, and their spouses; four grandchildren; two sisters; and a brother.