JAMES N. WILSON

1954 - 2022

WILSON, James N. Retired Boston Globe Deputy Director of Photography and Award-Winning Photographer Age 68, retired Boston Globe deputy director of photography and award-winning photographer, died peacefully in his home on Nov. 3, after a 10-month battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his family and devoted German shepherd, Max. Born in Lynn in 1954, the son of Cyril and Florinda, Jim attended the Ingalls Elementary School and Eastern Jr. High. As a boy, he was active in Boy Scouts and received the coveted Eagle Scout Award in June of 1971. Jim also graduated from Lynn English High School in 1972 and went on to attend Salem State College where he studied chemistry and physics. During this time, he became interested in photography and began working on the college's newspaper as a photographer. Although he initially planned to become a pathologist, his love for photography led him down a different career path. He started taking pictures for the Lynn Sunday Post and Daily Evening Item. Jim joined the Item full time in the late 1970's, under the tutelage of Bob Crosby and Walter Hoey. He quickly made a name for himself, as he was always in the right place at the right time. And this was no accident, as he often spent his evenings driving around the North Shore with his camera and scanners at the ready, hoping to be the first at the scene to get "the shot." Jim was also a stringer for United Press International. One veteran Boston photographer who recognized his talents, was Bill Brett, who was then the director of photography for the Boston Globe. Brett encouraged Jim to apply for an opening at the Globe and he was hired in 1982, as a staff photographer. Jim worked closely with Brett, and Brett counted on Jim's photography talents and operational skills to get the job done. "For every major event that we covered, Jim was my guy," Brett said. "I was very fortunate to have him handling logistics for things like the visiting dignitaries, World Series playoff games, and of course the Marathon." "He was a talented photographer, he knew just where to be to get the perfect shot" Brett said. "But he was also ahead of his time when it came to adopting digital technology. He led the way on that at the Globe." Brett and Jim remained close friends for many years after their retirements. It was in the Globe newsroom in 1985, where he met his wife, Jane, whom he affectionately called "Lynx." They were married at the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point, CA, in September of 1991. He ultimately retired as deputy director of photography in 2015. Upon his retirement from the Globe, Jim continued to be involved in the newspaper business working as chief operating officer of the Essex Media Group, publisher of the Daily Item in Lynn, as well as nine other publications. "We were lucky to have Jim's help building Essex Media Group the past seven years," said Mike Shanahan, chief executive officer of Essex Media. "He understood how important community news was to his hometown of Lynn and we turned to him for all sorts of challenges. He was also a mentor to many young journalists." Never really retiring, Jim became the director of vendors and sponsorship for the Topsfield Fair after leaving the Essex Media Group. In addition to these endeavors, Jim and his family started making pure soy candles in a barn at his residence. The business has grown to be known as The Good Earth Candle Company and is continuing to be run by his son, Matthew. Jim leaves his wife of 31 years, Jane (White); his sons, Benjamin B. and Matthew D. both of Rowley; his brother Edward A. and his wife Marie of Kittery, Maine; his sisters Dolores A. Geyer of Corona, CA, and Joan B. Sims of Lynn; his nephew Matthew Geyer and his wife Tina and sons Carson and Chase of San Clemente, CA; his niece Robin Downs and her husband, Dennis, son Nicholas and daughter Olivia of Corona, CA; and his sister-in-law Laura D. White, of New York City, NY. He was also the brother of the late Richard N. of Swampscott. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 8 pm, at the F.S. Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 14 Independent St., Rowley, MA. A funeral Mass will be said at 11 am on Saturday in Our Lady of Hope Church, 1 Pineswamp Rd., Ipswich, MA.

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