James E. Linton

Springfield - On Saturday, February 4, at home with his "Sweet Caroline" by his side, James (Jim) Linton came to the end of his journey on Earth.

He led a life of love and compassion. His smile and humble heart welcomed friends and strangers alike. Born in Palmer, MA he was the son of the late Elden and Evelyn (Shumway) Linton.

Jim was raised in Monson before moving to his beloved childhood home on a small farm in Wales at the age of ten. There he roamed the woods, fished, canoed and explored.

He will be deeply missed by his loving and devoted partner, Caroline Stanton, his beloved son, James Ethan Linton of Wales, his brother-in-law, Fred Anderson, and nephews David Anderson and his wife, Debbie, and Bill Anderson and his wife, Liz, all of Monson. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his loving step-father, Russ Shaw and his beloved sister, Jane Anderson. Jim will also be missed by his longtime friends and "partners in crime," Roger Felton and his wife, Jeannie, Bob McLean and his wife, Elaine of Wales, and fellow artist, Ted Fijal, of Chicopee, MA. Their faithful visits during Jim's illness were so meaningful to him.

Jim attended local schools in Monson and Wales and was a proud graduate of the "class of '61" from Tantasqua Regional H.S. in Sturbridge. Jim was blessed with a great artistic talent. He graduated from the School of Practical Art, Boston, MA in 1965 and pursued a career as a graphic artist. Before his art career began, Jim joined the Peace Corps and served working with children in Belize, Central America. Jim began his art career as a designer for Scott Education in Chicopee, a subsidiary of Scott Paper Company. Because of his great design ability he was offered a position at the Scott Paper Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, where he worked for 25 years, being instrumental in the design and promotion of their products. Upon returning to the area, Jim built a home near his beloved childhood home in Wales which he shared with his son, James, until 2011 when he reunited with his friend at a class reunion, and as partners, shared a beautiful life together until his death. Jim was a lover of life. With friends, he enjoyed skiing, horseback riding, exploring caves, canoeing, hunting and fishing and boating on the Potomac. He loved camping, gardening, was an avid reader and was knowledgeable on just about any subject. He loved nature and was an advocate for the preservation and protection of land. He enjoyed the times he worked or volunteered at the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. He loved the ocean and his earlier years with family in RI and more recently on Cape Cod. He was a good listener, an encourager and found everyone and everything interesting. Jim looked on life with quiet eyes. A tribute to Jim is planned in March to celebrate a life that touched so many.

Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in Monson in the spring. For those wishing to honor Jim's memory, please consider contributing to the Monson Free Library, 2 High Street, Monson, MA 01057 or Baystate VNA & Hospice, c/o Baystate Health Foundation, 280 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. New England Funeral and Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, is entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit www.nefcc.net