James Johnson

James “Jim” Johnson, 74, of South Yarmouth, MA, formerly of Lexington, MA, passed away on July 30, 2020 after a brief and sudden illness. Jim was born in Auburn, MA and attended Northeastern University where he earned degrees in education. As a four-letter athlete in his class at Auburn High School, Jim followed his lifelong passion for sports by becoming a physical education teacher in Billerica, MA. There, he met his wife of 42 years, Mary Beth. Jim later worked at the middle school level in the Waltham School District in the positions of physical education and special education instructor. He completed his teaching career in Waltham, returning to physical education at the elementary level.

Snow days were never an option for Jim. When it snowed, he was at the wheel of his plow, clearing driveways and shoveling out doorway paths for many neighbors in the Lexington area. He was always accompanied by one of his faithful Labs.

Jim was a tireless worker, buying and managing rental properties from the north shore to the south shore and everywhere in between. Right out of college, he obtained his real estate license and dove right into selling and buying properties. Early on, he owned and rented homes and apartment buildings; later, he concentrated on business properties in the metro west area, closer to home.

Jim had a great love of family and enjoyed annual family trips with Steve and Kristen to Disney World and Aruba. Later, he and Mary Beth enjoyed trips to Longboat Key, FL and Naples, FL to visit friends and family. They had a vacation booked at Longboat Key this past April, but it was postponed until 2021 because of Covid-19. Jim was a creature of habit; he believed that if you found a place you liked, you went back there!

Jim coached youth softball and baseball teams, providing all of the players (not just his own) with skills and experiences that would serve them well in later life. He coached Steve’s baseball teams all the way through high school and into American Legion Baseball. Years later, many of his players would continue to call him “Coach” whenever they saw him. He loved that. Most days on the Cape, you would see Jim sporting the Y-D Red Sox hat. He loved attending the Cape Cod League games.

One of Jim’s favorite investments was owning and operating the Edge of the Sea Motel from 1978 to 1998. He and his partner, Tom, shared some great memories those early years. Once Mary Beth entered the picture, Jim and Tom amicably dissolved the partnership, for as Tom said, Jim had a new partner. As a small beachfront property, guests were particular about which room or cottage they wanted, and year after year they returned. Jim was always there to greet them upon their arrival and say goodbye at their departure. The year of Hurricane Bob, a number of guests chose to stay, without power, and helped sweep sand or do other things to get the motel back in shape. Returning guests were like extended family. A familiar sight for many guests was the “Jim stance”: arms crossed, legs shoulder width apart standing in the driveway looking out over the property. Like clockwork, you would find Jim taking time off from work every day to join his family on the beach for a swim break. He would take his kids…and the kids that mysteriously appeared in line… and catapult them sky high into the ocean. It was a daily ritual.

On his day off, Jim would take the family and drive onto Sandy Neck Beach in Sandwich for a day’s outing. His love of the ocean prompted him to buy a Sea Ray. He loved taking the boat out. Some early mornings, he and Brian (manager) would venture to Martha’s Vineyard for coffee before starting the workday. He enjoyed inviting friends to accompany the family on all-day excursions. There are numerous stories about Jim and that boat. Once he went aground just off a private island in West Yarmouth. After mentioning a certain name, the property caretaker came around the bend with a tugboat to pull him off the sand. That made for an adventure that took on added dimensions through the years. In later years, Linda managed the property for Jim to be able to have “family time.” Nothing was more important to him.

Shortly after retirement, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. It came as a shock that someone so physically active would develop difficulty with balance and walking. He staved off symptoms by participating in Parkinson’s programs and studies at Boston University, boxing at the first Rock Steady in the surrounding Boston area, and going to NH for LSVT BIG and LOUD. He even went to Boynton Beach, FL one year, for a month, to try a gym that sported a piece of equipment called Giger MD and participate in the the LSVT BIG and LOUD programs. At that time, this was the closest location to MA for the LSVT programs.

In 2017, Jim and Mary Beth retired to Cape Cod, a familiar and happy place for them. Here, Jim joined the first spin class at the YMCA and was part of the “gold seat” group for his tenure in the program! He also was in the first Rock Steady program on the Cape at Spaulding in Sandwich. Later, he continued boxing at Forte Fitness in Hyannis. The exercise and camaraderie he received from each of these programs was outstanding. The dedication and genuine care he (and all his buddies) received from the coaches of these three programs is admirable. Any program is only as good as those who lead it. He loved being part of a group and was distraught when Covid 19 prevented him from participating. Early on, he was nicknamed “Big Jim,” not only because of his stature, but because of his big personality. No matter what music Coach Bob played at the spin class, Jim always called out that it was the Monkees. There were many head shakes and snickers from his buddies. Jim’s sense of humor was contagious. He valued the MANY new friendships he made with his fellow boxers, spinners, and coaches. It was a lifesaver for him to have these connections.

Jim leaves behind a family whose many joys would have been impossible without him. That is quite a legacy to have and remember. He left this earth before those who loved him were ready to say goodbye. He gave all who knew him memories too fun, too beautiful, too distinctly Jim to forget.

Jim is survived by his loving wife Mary Beth, his children Steve and Kristen, his son-in-law Bill, his grandson Liam, his brother Ken and fiancée Gwen, his brother-in-law Bill, his nieces and nephews Lisa, Kim, Maggie, Johanna, Graham, and Jonathan, great nieces and nephews Ryan, Kelsey, Nicole, Hailee, Tommy, Maddie, and Isla as well as many other loved family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to www.apdaparkinson.org or www.michalejfox.org .