On October 5, 2022, we lost Dr. Jorge Grimes. Born May 9th, 1938, to Marlin and Kathryn Grimes of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dr. Judy Grimes, two step-sons, Mark Capwell and Timothy Capwell; two step-daughters, Lori Enders and Kelly Wheeler; a brother, Marlin Grimes; three sisters, Marlene Hotchkiss, Kathy Galbraith and Kelly Marino, four grandchildren, four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Over the years he did a lot of things. Jorge had a lifelong passion for traveling, often including family and friends, he was a wonderful dancer, and he enjoyed going to Penn State football games. He was also a pioneer in the field of nurse practitioners, writing one of the initial textbooks which is now in its 4th edition.
Jorge and Judy traveled the world together, hitting every continent but Antarctica. From the top of the Mayan pyramids to the Amazon, to China, Thailand, North Africa, Europe, Scandinavia and Alaska, they enjoyed adventures. They danced in Venice and Paris, Jorge bravely drove throughout Great Britain and Europe, and in Australia they toasted Uluru at sunset. A man with a spirit of adventure, willing to try anything at least once, he took a ride on a zip-line only to say, "never again".
Jorge taught nursing all his life.
He graduated from Williamsport School of Nursing, received his bachelor's from Wilkes College, his masters from The University of Pennsylvania, and his doctorate from The State University of New York at Buffalo, all in the field of Nursing Education. Over his career, he taught nursing at Russell Sage College, served as Program Chairman at Keuka College, a member of the nursing faculty at SUNY Buffalo, then becoming Chairman of the undergraduate program in nursing at Penn State. In 1985, Jorge accepted a faculty position at the SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, College of Nursing where he retired as Professor Emeritus.
Jorge was one of the first Nurse Practitioner in New York State. He was an award-winning author of Health Assessment in Nursing Practice that was in a 4th edition, and he helped create the Nurse Practitioner program at SUNY Upstate University. Jorge also took time from teaching to work with the World Health Organization helping set up a clinic in Guyana.
A Celebration of Jorge's life will be held Sunday November 6th, 2022, at 2:00 PM in the InterFaith Chapel located in Upstate University Hospital-1st floor, 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210.
In lieu of flowers, and to help fund the education of future nurse professionals, we ask that donations be made to The Jorge Grimes Nursing Scholarship 644, Upstate Foundation, 750 E. Adams St. CAB 326, Syracuse, NY 13210.
To share a memory of Dr. Jorge with the family, please visit the guestbook below.