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FUNERAL HOME
220 North Main Street
East Longmeadow, Massachusetts
James Babson Obituary
South Hadley, MA — James "Jaime" Adams Babson of South Hadley, MA passed away on April 2 nd he was 67 years old. Born in Boston, MA, he grew up in Wellesley, MA. He attended Hampshire College after matriculation from the Dexter Schools and Deerfield Academy. Over the years, Jaime was an avid traveler – adventuring throughout North America most of the Spanish-speaking southern hemisphere, Asia, Europe, and North Africa. He developed a special affinity for Sri Lanka and India.
Jaime's heart was in philanthropy, where he was a trustee of the Paul & Edith Babson Foundation and the Susan A. & Donald P. Babson Charitable Foundation. He was a founding member of the Threshold Foundation. And, as an early adopter of socially responsible investing, he was an integral member of Green America and the Investor's Circle. Deeply involved with investment research and peace activism. He served on the boards of the Massachusetts Peace Action and the Veterans Education Project.
He is survived by his beloved wife Senani Wijeyewardena; his son Maithri Babson; his sisters Averill Babson (Gregory Sohns) and Deborah Babson; his brother Richard Babson; and his three nieces, Olivia Sohns (Youssef Medhous), Antonia Sohns (Andrew Tanabe) along with their sons Henry and Theodore, and Juliet Zainaldin (Carl Zainaldin) along with their son Arthur.
To honor and remember Jaime, a service will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 promptly starting at 12:00pm, and a gathering will continue after the service until 3:00pm at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 North Main Street in East Longmeadow. To leave an online message for the family or for the live streaming of Jaime's service at 12noon, please visit www.forastiere.com.
Contributions in his name can be made to the institution or charity that best represents your affiliation with Jaime.
Memories and Condolences
for James Babson
24 Entries
Mark McGloin
April 1, 2025
Live on Keniston Island in Wolfeboro Bay. Jamie and I waterskied together. Cool guy.
Vic
November 30, 2024
Thinking I knew you briefly in the early 70s in Boston. You were a wonderful person ! Your name happened to pop in my mind just now so tried to find out about you. RIP you good man ! V
Mark McGloin
August 26, 2024
I am very sorry. I used to waterski and hang out with Jamie in the early 70's. I live on Keniston Island close to Jamie's Wolfeboro house.
Bala Pillai
August 5, 2024
I met James in the summer of 1977 in Boston an vacationed with the whole family at Lake Winnepesauke in New Hampshire.
At that time, I was going to college at UVA in Charlottesville, Virginia as did
James´ brother, Richard.
I was an overseas student from Malaysia. Richard was so kind to invite me to be with him and family that summer. Oh what eternal memories keep playing back again and again.
My fondest to his loved ones. Do connect with me.
Bala Pillai
facebook.com/balapillai
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Jesse Vaughan
July 20, 2024
My buddy - the man with a big heart. Gone too soon. Rest easy in the palm of God´s hand. Jesse Vaughan
Sarah Averill Albertson
April 18, 2024
Dear Jamie,
As your first cousin, I had the opportunity to interact with you and your sisters,( Averill and Deb) ,brother (Richard), and your Mom and Dad. I even got to spend time with Bama And Bappa at Lake Winnipesaukee and at 330 Beacon St. My craziest memory of you is when we were at your family's cottages at Lake Winnipesaukee. I was about 13 and you were 15. To scare me , when I was walking from Little Cove cottage to Big Cove cottage at night, you jumped out of the bushes singing " Strangers in the Night!" LOL.
After scaring me, you burst out laughing and It affected so much that I never walked alone at night after that! I remember your contagious and funny laugh, your sense of humor, your athletic abilities on water skis , and your bright, mischievous personality. I will miss you Jamie.
To Senani and Mithri,my sincerest sympathies to you. I know that tears help heal, Memories eventually comfort and Love is forever. My thoughts and prayers flow to you.
Dear Averill, Deborah, and Richard, Antonia, Olivia and Juliette, I am so sorry for your loss. It's very difficult losing a sibling, an uncle, a beloved member of the large Babson /Averill family.
I am so sorry that I just found out about his passing. This distresses me as I would surely have come to pay my respects to my dear, unique and loving cousin. Until we meet again, Jaime, rest in Peace and give me a sign , if you can, that you are OK. Love you forever Jaime! Your cousin, Sarah Swift Averill . I will look for photos to upload.
LOVE IS FOREVER!!!
Chuck Johnson
December 20, 2022
Dear Family and Friends of Jaime,
I just found this and had no idea that Jaime had died. This is a sad day for me, long after the fact, it seems. He was a fine and extremely kind man.
Jaime supported the work of Nuclear Free America, nuclear free zone clearinghouse based in Baltimore, from its early days and it would not have existed without his philanthropy. A few years ago, I reconnected with him in Boston at a Mass Peace Action gathering and he supported our work at IPPNW (and his foundation continues to support our work) with youth in the Boston area. We just received a grant and I had no idea that he was no longer there considering it.
He seems too young to be gone. He leaves a legacy of kindness and refreshing hopefulness for humanity for all of us to follow.
Rest in Peace, Jaime.
Indira Peterson
September 4, 2022
I am a neighbor of Jaime's in South Hadley. I was sorry to hear of his passing. The reason I am writing so late is that, at the time of Jaime's death, my own husband, Mark Peterson was at the end of life stage of a terminal brain tumor. He passed away on May 27. Mark and I admired Jaime for his philanthroy and contributions to education and responsible investment. My sincere condolences to his wife, Senani, and to all the family
Tara Barone
August 25, 2022
Long Story Short Thank You for your compassion and humor Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Jehann El-Bisi
April 21, 2022
Jehann El-Bisi
April 21, 2022
Jehann El-Bisi
April 21, 2022
Deepest condolences to Jaime´s family. His infectious smile, fierce intellect and generous heart will be greatly missed.
Rohan Bandarage
April 18, 2022
Our meetings have been during fun and holidays in Sri Lanka, Australia and in the US with Asoka & Maithri. Naturally, we have very pleasant memories and was really sad to hear of your death. Remember you as a very lively and a caring person.
Asoka Bandarage
April 18, 2022
Asoka Bandarage
April 18, 2022
Asoka Bandarage
April 18, 2022
Dear Jaime,
Remembering our life together with Maithri.
May you be free from suffering.
May wisdom prevail.
Love,
Asoka
jan huisers from the netherlands
April 13, 2022
He was a great man i meet him 30 years ago al this year´s til 2 years ago he suppert my always when i help buld the themple on the leverett pease pagode. long time ago he his wife and son visit us here in Holland. we had a great time. Thanks Jamie for all that years and you suppert. Ja Huisers
Carl Rohde
April 12, 2022
Jaime, you will be missed!
- Carl Rohde (one-time resident of 60 Abbott Road)
Mahin & Sathya Wimaladharma
April 11, 2022
Our heartfelt condolences to Senani and the family. Jamie was a kind and friendly person and we have wonderful memories of the times we met whenever he visited Sri Lanka.
Timmon Wallis and Vicki Elson
April 11, 2022
We´re sending much love to Senani and the family. We will always remember Jamie as a kind and generous friend of peace work and a warm-hearted global citizen.
Mary Brabeck
April 11, 2022
While I did not know Jaime, knowing Averill I can imagine what a wonderful, generous, caring person Jaime must have been. My sympathies to all his family.
Dr Vinya and Madara Ariyaratne
April 9, 2022
Deepest sympathies to Senani and the family on the loss of beloved Jaime. May he attain the supreme bliss of nibbana
Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results
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Memorial Events
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Apr
12
Memorial Gathering
Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028
Apr
12
Service
12:00 p.m.
Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028
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Forastiere Smith Funeral Home & Cremation - East Longmeadow220 North Main Street, East Longmeadow, MA 01028
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