James A. "Jim" Dusso

James A. "Jim" Dusso

James Dusso Obituary

Published by Star Tribune on Sep. 19, 2008.
Dusso, James A. "Jim" Who spent his life loving and promoting artists and all the arts — died of brain cancer Tuesday morning. He was born in Greenwood, WI, on Aug. 25, 1950. Jim retained his dry sense of humor to the end — facing every difficulty, with his typical "No problem." He earned his Bachelor's in Mathematics, and was a Masters graduate and research fellow of the Bolz Center for Arts Administration, Graduate School of Business at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. An internship at the Guthrie brought him to the Twin Cities in 1976, thereafter his home. His career included managing Consortium Books, the Minnesota Foundation for Better Hearing and Speech, consulting with numerous arts organizations, and instructing at St. Mary's College of Minnesota. He was best known for his 16 years at COMPAS, an organization dedicated to building the arts and artists throughout the state. From 1997 to June 2007 he served as Managing Director and Interim Executive Director of the Minnesota State Arts Board, annually granting funds of $12+ million to the arts. He also worked as a founder, board member, panelist or volunteer for many arts organizations locally and nationally including the National Endowment for the Arts. He was best known as a friend and mentor to young talent - interns, arts administrators and emerging artists, and an excellent advocate for community arts participation and attendance in every corner of Minnesota. Friends and family will remember him as a cheese-headed Packer-Backer, unyielding Badger fan, "Boat Papa," cat trainer, unabashed performance- goer, "arts walker," intense listener, and wonderful operational thinker. Jim always kept in mind that nothing was more important than the relationships with and between people. Preceded in death by parents, Lorris and Alice, he is survived by his wife, Beverly; brother, William (Donna) – Madison, WI; son, Jeff (Anne) – San Jose, CA; daughter, Kathy (Bill) – Chicago, IL; and five grandchildren. His memorial service will be held Monday, Sept. 22, in the Musser Cortile, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th Street, St. Paul, MN at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers or memorials, please celebrate Jim's life and work through a gift to your favorite arts organization, center, school, or community arts event.
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.

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October 6, 2008

Karen (Dummer) Robison posted to the memorial.

September 24, 2008

Tom Spray posted to the memorial.

September 22, 2008

Michael Garcia posted to the memorial.

Karen (Dummer) Robison

October 6, 2008

Bev,
I am so sorry and so sad to hear about your loss - our loss. Jim was a peach, a true gentleman and friend. Sending heartfelt sympathy,

Tom Spray

September 24, 2008

Dear Bev
I was stunned and saddened to hear of Jim's death. What a great friend and classmate - I feel very fortunate to have known him.
Both of you were so kind to me during my brief time in the Twin Cities way back when - he will be missed!

Michael Garcia

September 22, 2008

Today was a day of celebration and mourning. The family and friends who gathered to celebrate the contributions of Jim Dusso (or as Seitu so well put it "Dusso") felt the warmth of freindship Jim shared with us all.

After the long drive home, sitting by the lake I now call home, listening to the sounds of fall and looking at the night sky I am reminded of the importance of friendship, and of saying "yes, it can be done".

Jim will be remembered and missed by many. Bev, Kathy and Jeff you are in the hearts and minds of all who knew him.

With deepest thanks for all who made the journey to pay tribute to Jim, it was a party he did not miss. The smile of the potrait at the front said it all.

We miss you,

Leslie Schumacher

September 22, 2008

On behalf of the Forum of Regional Arts Councils I extend our sincere sympathy.
The Arts have lost a true friend and champion.

Jeff Prauer

September 22, 2008

Dear Bev, Kathy, and Jeff,
Monday, 9/22; this morning someone said to me, "Enjoy this wonderful day." Well, I have mixed feelings about this being a wonderful day. It will be wonderful for people to gather to pay their respects to you and Jim for the great life that he led and the many legacies that he left, and on the other hand, of course, it will be sad. Jim was a wonderful friend and esteemed colleague, to me and many others. I feel richer for having known Jim.

Laverne McCartney Knighton

September 22, 2008

Beverly,
My heart aches for you and your family. I share your grief and extend my love and God's strong hand of encouragement and healing.
I will always remember Jim's smile, his calm, his caring spirit, and most of all, how he loved you. I hope you will be comforted by that knowing. Please take care of you, now... Jim would want that.

Love and Kisses,
Laverne

Gerty Free

September 21, 2008

Please accept our sincere sympathy.

Carl & Margaret Stockmeier,
Manitowoc
Eddie & Gerty Free,
Cleveland

Steven Schmidt

September 21, 2008

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

John Firman

September 21, 2008

Goodbye old friend...I'm sad to see you go.

Michael Garcia

September 20, 2008

Dear Bev and Family,

Jim's passion for the arts, and for the people who were looking for a home and a job who might not fit in everywhere is a remarkable contribution.

He will be missed and celebrated by many and the love of all who knew him is the comfort that I hope wraps you and your family during these difficult days.

Here is to you, Jim, with hats off, for all those you helped along their journey. I am fortunate to have been one of them,

Michael Garcia

Mary Sundet Jones

September 20, 2008

Bev and family - I'm so very sorry to hear of Jim's death. I knew him best in the 1980's, when I was working in various arts & arts education jobs in the Twin Cities. He had a great laugh, and always a fun way of viewing the world. I remember watching passers-by with him someplace in the city, and hearing him make up stories about the lives of the people we were seeing. He was a wry and friendly presence, and always a friend to the arts. My greatest sympathies to you all.

Jim & Bev - Memorial Day Weekend - May 2008

Bonita Roach

September 19, 2008

Dear Bev,

I just learned about Jim's death from my sister. I am so sorry and want you to know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I have thought a lot about you and Jim since I stopped in to see you back in May. I'm sure glad I called you when I was passing through. Jim has meant a lot to me since I first met him back in 1965. He was my brother Bruce's best friend, my senior prom date, and my "older brother" after Bruce died. He meant a lot to my mother too and I know the three of them are having a party in Heaven as we speak. He is in good hands! I will always cherish his good nature, kindness, compassion and sense of humor, as I know you will too. May God be with you in the days and weeks ahead and give you strength to carry on each day. If you ever get out to Spokane, please look me up and I will do the same when I am traveling through the Twin Cities again.

Love, Bonita

Beth Kealy

September 19, 2008

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

Bev & Family this poem reminds me of Jim. All memories I have of him are very good ones.

I have known him since 66 when he started attending school with my older brother. He was a wonderful person and will be greatly missed!

May God grant you Peace & Comfort!

Sincerely,
Beth (Garst) Kealy

Mary Thorpe-Mease

September 19, 2008

Beverly,
I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing and want you to know I have thought of you often this summer since we had lunch. I knew only a little about Jim's work and his contribution to the community of arts. What a loss to so many! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hopefully we can be in touch sometime soon. My deepest sympathy. Mary

Tony Sertich

September 19, 2008

Dear Beverly & Family:

I first met Jim in about 1995 and liked him from the first moment we met.

In the intervening years my job has taken me to many far-flung places.

However, whenever I would meet up with Jim, even after a lapse of several years, Jim would speak to me as if no time at all had transpired.

This was a unique gift of Jim's.

I will miss him.

Tony Sertich

Ellen Hart-Shegos

September 19, 2008

Dear Bev: My heart aches for your loss. Your husband sounds like he was an extraordinary man and partner. As I read his memorial I kept thinking of what a wonderful team you two have been. I'm so glad you found each other and so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my daily prayers as I have these past few months.

Bob Booker

September 19, 2008

It is rare in life that you have the opportunity to work with an individual that truly brings joy to your day and job. I have been very lucky to count many colleagues possessing this trait, however, Jim was at the top of the list. He approached each day with an energy and humor rarely seen in the workplace. We laughed together every day. He was a brilliant thinker, an amazing “numbers guy” and one of the most giving and open individuals around.

He was tireless in his work to expand participation in the arts for everyone. His favorite line was…”Giving away money? How hard can it be?”

I hope you remember him as I do, with a smile on his face, a quick witted joke, and a personal dedication to helping everyone find a place in this big world of ours

Brian Jones

September 19, 2008

Beverly, Jeff, and Kathy,
You and your families are in my mind and heart today. I pray that we all may find peace in our memories of this wonderful man, husband, father, and friend. He will be missed by many.
With love and sympathy,

Sharon DeMark

September 19, 2008

Dear Bev and family,
I was so very saddened to hear about this loss. Jim was such a vibrant presence, it's hard to imagine our world without him. Whenever I think about Jim, I think about his smile, his sweet nature and his unending generosity. I had the privilege of sitting on the Bolz Center board with him for a few years and he was one of the main reasons I enjoyed those meetings so much. My heart goes out to all of you during this sad sad time.

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October 6, 2008

Karen (Dummer) Robison posted to the memorial.

September 24, 2008

Tom Spray posted to the memorial.

September 22, 2008

Michael Garcia posted to the memorial.