James Year in Pictures 2011

James,

I will always remember...

asking you for a light...
lunches south of market...
that filet mignon dinner I cooked for you...
teaching you how to play backgammon...
the roses you brought me when my father died...
dinners in the mission...
the day you surprised me with a mountain bike in the kitchen...
bringing Kitty home from the barbecue...
the look on your face when framing a shot...
the concerts at Stern Grove...
you reading Herb Caen...
the day Stan Getz died...
the beach...
the nook...
the view...
jazz on Saturday nights with Tony and Pam at that club on Geary...
the celtic fairs at Fort Mason...
the emerald ball...
our hikes up Lincoln Park...
the neighborhood hangout...
how excited you were about a new project...
Kitty waiting on the fence when we got home...
the day you got your first computer...
watching you "visualize the conceptualization process"...
the day you and Luna met...
Cleo and Dankworth...
you staring at the stars with awe while camping...
New York, the first time...
Lou Donaldson at the Vanguard playing Autumn in New York at the end of a perfect fall day...
the east village...
Dubling House...
teaching you the proper way to cross the street in NY ('don't make eye contact with the cab driver')...
New York, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th time...
the ferry rides...
all that live jazz...
walking everywhere, for hours...
the helicopter ride on our last day there...
Flagstaff...
San Diego...
Seattle...
that awful hotel...
the funny look on your face when we first became air-borne while para-sailing...
Santa Barbara...
collecting artifacts on the beach...
the annual jazz festivals on Fillmore Street...
the fun we had posting flyers for Jerry Day on Haight Street...
the New Year's eve I coaxed you to dance in public, never thinking you would but you did!...
you beating me at gin rummy...
your laugh when you were being silly...
cooking recipes that caught your eye in the chronicle...
that night we danced in the kitchen...
your garlic bread...
you always cracking nuts on Thanksgiving at Rod's...
you always eating all the good appetizers before anyone else had a chance at Louise's on Christmas...
the way you eat sushi with your fingers...
you and Tom always talking about music at Rod's barbecues...
the adjectives you used when describing something you loved - a book, music, exhibit - Stunning! Fantastic! Absolutely wonderful!...
your passion...
the last time we talked...

...you.

Memories

Hello all - James McCaffry & I have been friends since the early 70's. I most recently spoke with him the weekend before his departure. He was,in almost every sense,a brother to me,though I have several of my 'own'. While I was so very saddened by this event,in reflection I am glad that he was not one who had to endure a long suffering.
I am one of very few friends from his Edmonton era that made the wish to visit him in San Fransisco a reality,but that was way back in 79/80,arriving just before New Years eve' ['79]and leaving about the third in January['80],having a most incredible time and left thinking I'd make it there again some day. Oh well,too late now,as far as seeing him there goes at least. I have now had a bit of a chat with Robin,Doug and Gloria,and also Colleen Murtha. We are shocked,but his Mom[Gloria] re-affirmed the sense of gladness that his 'exit' was a quick one. I'll have other thoughts on this,and I have a couple of photos James did of some Yukon rocks I sent him last Christmas/Solstice time,doing a bit of the wonderful magic he could do so well with a camera.
He was a very special guy,very talented,loved animals & in his own way REALLY LOVED LIFE ... A THING i HOPE TO FIND/MAKE THE TIME TO CELEBRATE IN HIS NAME !
My thoughts are with you all at Baker Beach,amidst the tears I hope there is also some laughter ...
'bye James,love ya bro' !!
John

James Year in Pictures 2010

Luna and Bobcat

Little James

James and the chile peppers

James and Sachiko

Luna

James and Mokey

James Memorial date and time

On Saturday, May 28th at 6:00pm there will be an informal memorial at Baker Beach, James power spot where he watched the setting sun every evening, either from (his other power spot) the kitchen window or directly on the beach with camera in hand. His mother Gloria, sister Robin and brother Doug will be here from Canada to say good-bye on the landscape that he loved