Obituary of James “Jim” Herlan January 17, 2026

James “Jim” J. Herlan

Passed away peacefully at home on January 7th, 2026, at age 90.

Survived by his wife of 52 years, Elaine B. Herlan; children David “Kim” (Pam) Herlan, Eric (Jane) Herlan, Jennifer (Eric) Wiest, Julie Alberlan and Rebecca (Aaron Grilly) Herlan; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.

Jim attended Nichols School in Buffalo and graduated from Yale in 1957 and went on to teach at Nichols School in his early teaching years. He subsequently spent 30 years as a Professor of French & Canadian Studies at University of Maine at Orono.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring; details will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Nichols School Scholarship Fund.