A major Wall Street Banker with ties to the local community has died. James B. Lee Jr. who served as chairman of the board of directors of the Berkshire Broadcasting Corporation, parent of WLAD, passed away of a heart attack while exercising at his home in Darien Wednesday morning. 

Lee, who pioneered syndicated lending in the global financial community, was a vice chairman of J.P. Morgan Chase.  Companies like Facebook, United Airlines, Alibaba, General Motors and AIG all benefited from his advice and counsel.  "Jimmy", as he was known on Wall Street, was handling the GE Capital sell off of assets at the time of his death. 

Lee, who grew up in Ridgefield, graduated from Canterbury School in New Milford and his beloved Williams College.  He was the grandson of Frank. H. Lee and son of James B. Lee, who were both Hatters when it was the leading industry in Danbury.

James B. Lee Jr. was 62.