James McGrath Wong
November 7, 1998 – May 24, 2022
New York, NY, USA
life story
Wholly focused on his Goals
James died tragically and accidentally in New York City, his new favorite place to be. He was living in a neighborhood he loved and had found the perfect bagel, the perfect slice, and the perfect gym. He was succeeding in a field that he had chased for four years.
James was focused and driven at many things
Whether staging the perfect railroad crash scene involving Thomas the Tank Engine, standing in line to get the final Harry Potter book at midnight, challenging himself to the fastest snowboard time down Siberia Bowl in Tahoe, or working toward the perfect bicep shape during the lockdowns, James was driven to succeed at the small and large challenges he chose his whole life - a perfectionist who did things his way.
He could play a dirty game of Monopoly, make the perfect crepe, or quote any episode of South Park in response to the insane daily news of our world. "You know there's a South Park episode about this" was never far from the discussion. He found community and relaxation in the world of gaming. He valued his health and strived for wellness — taking pride in his strength and appreciating the sport of bodybuilding. He was dabbling in photography and how to make the perfect latte. He could equally appreciate Beethoven, La La Land, and the genius of Kanye West.
From the age of 18, a light switch was turned on for him that focused his career on economics and finance. Internships in Boston and his dogged efforts to gain an opening in NY investment banking led to a coveted analyst role last year. He was making his mark and excelling in a field with impossible expectations and there was a tragic cost for him and those of us left without his presence every day forward.
James was a very private person and would hate the idea of people talking about him in his absence. But in the end, he loved his family, his small group of friends, and was fighting to succeed at life.
He will be desperately missed by all of us who loved him and were waiting to see the great things we know he would have accomplished.
Those who mourn and honor him include his mother, father, brother, three grandparents, 10 aunts and uncles, 18 cousins, one senile dog, and many friends and colleagues.