RIPTON — James “Jim” Doolan passed away May 9, 2026, at his Ripton home surrounded by family. He was a renaissance man, a boatbuilder, storyteller, singer, but most proudly a teacher. He was a blessing to all who knew him. His favorite poet, John O’Donohue sums up his life in this wonderful poem:

Though we need to weep your loss,

You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,

Where no storm or night of pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn

Brightening over our lives,

Awakening beneath the dark

A further adventure of color.

The sound of your voice

Found for us

A new music

That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze

Quickened in the joy of its being,

You placed smiles like flowers

On the altar of the heart.

Your mind always sparkled

With wonder at things.

Your spirit was alive, awake, complete.

Let us not look for you only in memory,

Where we would grow lonely without you.

You want us to find you in presence,

Besides us when beauty brightens,

When kindness glows

And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,

Darkest winter has turned to spring;

May this dark grief flower with hope

In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.

To serve the call of courage and love

Until we see your beautiful face again

In that land where there is no more separation,

Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,

And where we will never lose you again.

A private family service will be held to honor his life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, 245 Ethan Allen Hwy., New Haven, Vt. 05472. ◊