James Nagasawa Waterfield

James Nagasawa Waterfield, of Troy, NY, died on May 6, 2026, at Shaker Place Nursing Center, with his family by his side. Jim was the son of the late Sueko Nagasawa Waterfield and his adoptive father John Richard Waterfield, who raised him from an early age.

Born Tohru Nagasawa in Inagi, Japan, on March 31, 1952, Jim, alongside his mother, became an American citizen on December 16, 1960. After moving to the US with his parents and two younger brothers, he grew up in Niskayuna, first perfecting his English, and eventually becoming an athletic, popular young man. He spent three of “the best years of my life” serving his country as an Aerospace Ground Equipment Repairman at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, where he learned being the thinnest man on the crew meant he could, and would, fit into the tightest spaces.

After the Air Force, he took the opportunity to enjoy a few more years in Hawaii, followed by Arizona and Ohio before returning home to New York. In Tucson, he met Patricia (Hennessey) Waterfield, now former wife and mother of his children. In Albany, NY, he was employed at the VA Stratton Medical Center, eventually managing supply, and organized the facility Super Bowl party for patients and staff.

With his long time partner Karen D. Brandt, who preceded him in death, he lived in Troy and traveled frequently around the Northeast, visiting antique shows and the New England coast. He was a dealer of watches, antique tools and toy air rifles, among other interesting collectibles, and for years his small “I Buy Watches” classified was a regular in the paper. His favorite question on a house call…”Anything else you’re looking to sell?” He loved anything mechanical, disassembling, cleaning, and often reassembling, devices that had seen better days.

A cat lover, a wry sense of humor, a sports fan (including, of course, his children’s sporting events, where he announced football games and made chili for concessions), he was a consummate dabbler, taking interest in cooking, photography, horology, jewelry, firearms, figurines, and even farm equipment.

He is survived by his three children, Justin, John (Audrey), and Cora, his two brothers, Robert (Cheryl) and Edward (Robert Dickson), two grandsons, Brandon and Logan, nephew Jared and niece Morgan Rhyne, and many cousins and extended family in both of the countries he called home.

Calling hours will be held at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Albany, New York on Monday June 1, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 pm, Tuesday June 2, 2026 at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, all are invited.

In his memory, please consider supporting the work of the Community Hospice, who supported him two different times.

To share a memory of Jimmie or leave a special message for his family, visit the guest book below.