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Some of you may remember JimM. - member #2524. He was a fairly active member here who always had a fresh perspective to offer.
He was a very bright man who bought and sold technology for a living. After years of hard work, he bought a Mason BB in rosewood from me in 2003. He relocated to Northern California soon after when he (kind of) retired and built the home of his dreams with the love of his life Barbara. We became friends and got together when he was in the area. I had plans to spend some time golfing with him, but we never actually planned the trip. I stopped seeing him but simply thought he wasn't getting to the East Coast as much.
I didn't know it, but Jim became ill with cancer and passed away last year.
I knew some of you would remember Jim and would want to know. Barbara currently has his piano on this site for sale and would love for someone to love it the way Jim did. I can personally tell you that he chose a great piano.
I will admit that I got completely mesmerized by reading that description and seeing the pictures of their house. Not only do I want the piano (which is gorgeous in Rosewood), I also want the house! I'm glad he was able to build and live in it before he died.
Making music (because it is part of our humanity) is one of the few things you can do from earliest childhood until the hospice nurse comes to visit.
I'm sure he touched a lot of lives, as have you.
There's a continuity (immortality?) in the piano world unlike anything else.
John
Full-Time Music/Entrepreneurship Major: (Why not compose music AND businesses?) Former Piano Industry Professional ************ Steinway M Roland Atelier AT90R ************ All Posts are Snarky Unless Otherwise Noted ************
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
I didn't know Jim, but I also add my condolences. That he was able to retire and build his dream house and a great piano...how wonderful. I pray he did have time to enjoy all of it. He sounded like a great person and if life is what it should be...he is playing on that wonderful piano...in a better place.
Kathleen
Chopin’s music is all I need to look into my soul.
I didn´t know Jim, but he apparently had good aesthetical and musical taste, qualities the world is in great need of.
My condolences.
“There are only two important things which I took with me on my way to America, It´s been my wife Natalja and my precious Blüthner.†– Sergei Rachmaninov
I'm sorry to hear of this as well. It is great that he had to chance to live in that beautiful home and play a wonderful and lovely piano. Rich, it must be satisfying to know that you were able to help him realize that dream.
I've seen this over, and over, and over, and over again. Guy works hard his entire life, finally retires with his dream fulfilled, and drops dead within a year or two. We lost a recently retired co-worker this way 2 weeks ago - who lived about 3/4ths way between me and Jim.
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today - tomorrow may never come!
-Zorba "The Veiled Male" http://www.doubleveil.net 1918 Hobart M. Cable "H" "No-one would knowingly provide Franz Liszt with a mediocre piano." -E. M. Good
Thanks for sharing this Rich. He sounded like a great guy. Reading through some of his posts by using his member number in the search engine, I noticed he contributed a lot of valuable information.
P.S. If you need someone else to play golf with in California, look me up!
My condolences to all who knew Jim, and especially to his wife. At least he had a little time to enjoy his beautiful vacation home and his piano.
Life often throws a curve at us, and wrecks our plans. Zorba is right about enjoying the moment, as tomorrow may never come.
I know too well how true this is. My dear husband and I had planned a long and happy future together, but it never came to pass. He was stricken with a combination of Parkinson's and ALS, and passed away before we had a chance to really enjoy the things we had planned.
I hope Jim's piano finds a loving home, and that Barbara finds conmfort and peace.
Because of my immense empathy, I was able to talk with the man's wife for a few moments. She is very, very torn up about it. I didn't know Jim or his wife, but I felt a need to call and give my condolences.
What a horrible occurrence. I hope she turns out okay.
What a lovely thing to do Colin. I am sure Jim's wife appreciated your call. This is a devastating time for her, and she needs all the support she can get from friends, and concerned people. Gaby Tu
Condolences, and supplications for JimM's wife and family. Life is short, and precious.
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