James Mason Harper

Dear Jackie, Vanessa, and Marissa,

We never met, but Jim was my captain on the Williams swim team. I was two years behind him, which is a bigger deal at age 18 than age 70. Jim was not only a good and caring friend, but an amazing, quiet leader. When he won the award as the top college swimmer in New England, even our competitors stood and cheered. I get teary eyed thinking of that moment today. He really was admired by everyone. About 20 years ago, I saw Jim at a masters swim meet in Berwyn, PA. We decided to swim the 200 meter butterfly and entered the same qualifying time so we could swim together. Each pool length was 50 meters, which is more diffficult that a 25 meter pool. We both temporarily stopped after 150 meters to discuss how we were going to finish the last lap without drowning. We switched to breastroke kick (probably illegal) and finished in a tie. I am pretty sure that neither of us swam that event again.

I am very sorry for your loss, but hope that some of our shared memories of such a special person will be helpful. Tom & Connie McEvoy

I always enjoyed my interactions with Jim. a very nice person indeed, we were classmates at Williams. So sorry for your loss. Fran Doran '74

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.