Remembering the life of James Cameron (2024)

Danville - On Saturday, June 15th, James (Jim, Jimmy) Cameron, 82, of Danville, NH, passed away from complications after a fall. He had been ill the previous few months as well, and his family would like to thank all of his doctors and various other caregivers from Elliot Hospital, Dartmouth Hitchco*ck, and Catholic Medical in Manchester, NH, as well as Parkland Medical in Derry NH, and the EMT services in Danville, NH. Their kindness and compassion did not go unnoticed and we are grateful to them all. Jim was born in Lowell, MA, in 1941, to Kenneth and Rosalie Cameron. He was raised in Lowell, attending Lowell High School, where he first began playing the saxophone. Jim briefly spent time at Boston College and Rhode Island School of Design before earning his degree from St. Anselm's College, in Manchester, NH, where he met his wife, Elizabeth. They were married in 1968 and raised three children, Jaimie, Heather, and Lonnae.
Jim began playing the saxophone professionally in 1958, and although he consideredhimself a self-taught player, he studied briefly with Lee Konitz and Jackie McLean. Heperformed with Lou Donaldson, Jimmy Garrison, 'Papa' Joe Jones, Phil Woods, Buddy Tate, Red Holloway, Teddy Kotick, and Clark Terry. During the '70s and '80s, Jim was prominent on the Boston jazz scene as a member of the Bunny Smith Quartet, playingall the major and not-so-major Boston jazz clubs and the Boston Globe Jazz Festival. In the 80's Jim toured the US and Canada with blues legends Katie Webster and Mighty Sam McLaine, and can be heard on several CDs from such labels as Brownstone, GM, and Sea Breeze. Jim performed at jazz clubs, concerts, and festivals around the world, including England, France, Portugal, Vancouver, and Japan.
Until recently, he divided his time playing in three big bands, two nonets, a sextet, and various smaller jazz ensembles in the New England area.
When he wasn't playing the sax, he was oftenfound at home doing yardwork in one of his beautiful gardens. Jim and his wife, Elizabeth were avid gardeners, and at one point both were NH master gardeners.
He loved animals and spent decades adopting retired racing greyhounds until he ended up with one tiny Dachshund, Teddy, who is still waiting for his return. Jim enjoyed many forms of art and returned to painting in various styles repeatedly during his life. Jim could be a quiet man in large groups, but amongst friends and family was often quite the ham. Nothing made him happier than making his children laugh and the daily 5 p.m. family dinner was often a loud and rowdy affair with terrible jokes and lots of hilarity. He was a true friend and left behind many close relationships, some going back almost 70 years. Jim was a beautiful man and artist and will be missed in many ways. Jim was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth and is survived by his daughters Lonnae and Heather Turrell and husband Tyrone, his son James and wife Mary, and his granddaughter, Freyja.
The eldest of three siblings, Jim is survived by his siblings, Marilyn Proctor and Rosalie Mallia, and his brothers-in-law, Jeffrey Proctor and Anthony Mallia, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are Sunday, June 30th from 1 to 3 p.m., at Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem, NH. There will be a gathering at Jim's house in Danville, NH after. All are invited to come eat, drink, and enjoy music. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NHSPCA The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, P.O. Box 196, 104
Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham, NH 03885. To send a message of condolence to the family, please view the obituary at www.douglasandjohnson.com.

To send flowers to the family of James K. Cameron, please visit Tribute Store.

Published on June 23, 2024