PLATTSBURGH — James Russell Papero, 71, of Crescent Drive, passed away on June 28, 2020 at the CVPH Medical Center.

Mr. Papero was born, March 10, 1949 in Plattsburgh, the son of the late Anthony Papero and Iantha Shelden Papero.

A 1967 graduate of Peru Central School, he attended Paul Smith's College and the University of Illinois earning degrees in environmental science and forestry. Later, he earned a professional certificate in wilderness management from the University of Montana. While at Illinois, he was elected to Xi Sigma Pi, the National Honor Society of Forestry.

His 34 years in forestry began as a forest fire technician (air operations) in Idaho and Montana with the U.S. Forest Service in 1969. He was later appointed as a wilderness ranger in the Cabinet Mountains Federal Wilderness Area of NW Montana.

Promoted to full federal forester status in 1975, he held staff positions in fire, recreation, and reforestation in Montana, Texas and Wyoming.

Mr. Papero jointed the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in 1981 as a Forest Preserve forester in Ray Brook, Essex County and was promoted to senior forester in 1988. In 1999, he received the National Association of State Foresters Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in New York's High Peaks Wilderness. That same year, the Association for the Preservation of the Adirondacks awarded him its prestigious Howard Zahniser Adirondack Award for his leadership in forest preserve protection and management.

Survivors include one brother, Daniel Papero and his wife, Patricia of Hedgeville, West Virginia and two nieces, Anna and Laura Papero of Lexington, Kentucky.

There will be no funeral services. A private burial will take place at Loon Lake, Franklin County.

To share a condolence with the family, please visit, www.rwwalkerfh.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted into the care of the R.W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court Street, Plattsburgh.