1945 – 2017
Putnam, CT – Jim was born in Springfield, MA, son of C. Kilbourne and Gertrude (Lapham) Bump.
He went to Williston Academy after attending Minnechaug High School. At Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, class of 1969, he majored in piano, after realizing that he could read music faster than text. There he began to build instruments, laying the foundation for several years of lute building and about 19 years at Old Sturbridge Village. At OSV, he demonstrated crafts and built replicas of furniture and tools, from plows to looms to a printing press, so that historical techniques could be shown without damaging the original antiques.
In the 1990’s, Jim worked as a church organist and accompanist to students, soloists and choruses. Trying a week of classes at Summer Keys, Lubec, ME, he was taken on as piano accompanist for adult amateur musicians. He fell in love with Lubec, and bought a 5 bedroom house, where he rented rooms to music students, making friends from around the world. After 10 years, he resigned from accompaniment and concentrated on hosting string quartets, in which he was always the viola.
In 2012, Jim helped to start the Northeast Connecticut Community Orchestra, which continues to meet in Ashford, CT and perform in several nearby towns. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the N.E.C.C. Orchestra, Saul Ahola, treasurer, 88 Butts Rd., Woodstock, CT 06281.
Jim is survived by his brother Ben and sister-in-law Ellen Bump, cousins, and longtime companion Rachel Lewis and her family. They are planning a gathering with music and memorabilia, to be announced later. Funeral arrangements and cremation have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT. For memorial guestbook please visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Peter Lewy
Jim was a wonderful positive force in a world that desperately needs people like him. He gave of himself selflessly to others to allow them to bring the joy of music to light up wherever he was. My heart goes out to Rachel and all who loved him. There are undoubtedly many of those as he was a profoundly lovable individual. He will be deeply missed by countless individuals of whom I am just one.
Eileen Charbonneau
My heart broke when I heard Jim had passed. I worked with him at Old Sturbridge Village. He was truly a unique and delightful person. I will treasure memories of RCL department lunches when Jim had us all laughing hysterically. I was always amazed at his incredible artistic talent. It seemed he could do almost anything. I will also always remember with gratitude how he made me feel welcomed and included when I was new at OSV. Rest in peace, Jim. You were a gift to all of us! My deepest sympathy to Rachel and all Jim’s loved ones.
Charlie Leach
Rachel, So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Although we had not seen each other for some time I would often think of both of you as I would hike up the road. God Bless you and his family as you go through a sad period in your lives. If there is anything Deb and I can do please let us know.
T. Kelly
I recently read about the loss of your dear loved one. Although we are not acquainted personally, please accept my condolences. Losing a dear loved one can leave a very empty space in one’s life. Please find strength, hope, and comfort in the God of Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4).
Catherine (Cat) Lyon
Jim Bump brought joy and music and laughter and hospitality into the world and I am grieved to learn of his passing — and deeply thankful for the wondrous workings of the universe that permitted me to know him. Rachel, I am so sorry for your loss and wish you comfort and support – you are such an extraordinary person yourself. May he rest in peace. May his friends and family be comforted.
Fran and Nancy from Cleveland
Rachel and family, Nancy and I are surprised and sadden to hear of Bump’s passing. He encouraged me in the study of the cello and gave me several wonderful printed sheets of music. He was a unique individual and ‘fine fellow’. The world is now a poorer place.
Deb Leach
I was so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing…. I met him first when I was taking lessons with Stella (over 20 years ago as he accompanied both lessons and. He was a gifted musician who loved meeting people through this gift and we became friends in the best way possible. He also helped keep me entertained in the summers (I am a teacher) by visiting bookstores and going for walks before he found another calling in Maine. We have not seen much of each other in recent years, but he and Rachel were always on my mind. The world is not as lovely in his absence. I am so sorry for your loss….
Kristine Durocher
Rachel, I too lost my husband to cancer and my heart goes out to you–please contact me if you need help-we have a little group of mostly widows who help each other out.
I was very fond of Jim and sorry I seemed to have had trouble connecting with you with the email and phone I had-I knew he was spending s lot of time in Maine so maybe they were old. So please email me.
Jim is a talented, wonderful soul and I so enjoyed singing with him and listening to him play. His wit and insight kept us on our toes! I liked the way he would sometimes give us the history of the song that he was playing . Even tho I haven’t seen him for swhile, he will be greatly missed. I would love to be s part of the celebration of his life-. Would you be so kind as to email me the details when your plan is complete? God bless you Rachel, and surround you with his love,
Joy Child
So sad to hear about Jim’s passing. He was a wonderful musician with a great sense of humor. My sympathy goes to Rachel Lewis and Jim’s family. I knew him from the Bradley Playhouse and he was also organist for a while at our church. He found music that had been written years ago and made it come alive.
William Chikd
He was a great guy and a real musician ! He was our church organist for a number of years and he was well liked ! I am sorry for your loss Rachael !
Jenny Racca
I am so sad to hear of Jim’s passing. He worked with Stella Roden when I was her vocal student and he accompanied me throughout the years including my audition into college. I am so sorry for your loss, he will be truly missed.
Robert Humberston
Maggie and I are so saddened on learning of Jim’s passing. I first met Jim when I was in high school in 1967 or so as a recorder player in a group to which he had been invited. My first visit to his home in Hampden MA where he had lived with his wonderful parents was like a new world of fascination for me, in a beautiful mountain vista setting. For years we played early music with numerous friends he had made from Old Sturbridge Village and elsewhere. His many talents in music and craftsmanship were only enhanced by his brilliant and often zany sense of humor played out on many ways. He always shared his knowledge and I recall one summer I spent trying my hand at making some medieval string instruments under his tutelage while he was in the business of lute making. When I started dating Maggie in 1975, she and I often hung out with Jim on weekends, for many years after she and I got married in 1976. Jim played lute as the music st our wedding. I could go on forever about him who I had considered my best and most admired friend. We only recently had begun emailing one another as geography limited our contacts for a number of years. We offer our deepest condolences to Rachel and Ben and families, Jim will certainly be missed by many.
SUSAN FOSTER
Dear Rachel, I am so sorry for your loss. Our whole congregation has such good memories of Jim. He was such a talented musician, fun to work with, and always willing to share his creativity. He added so much to our worship services. We have fond memories of him which will we cherish.
We will keep you in our prayers as we give thanks for Jim’s life.
Sue Foster
East Woodstock Congregational Church
Leah Goat
I got to know Jim at OSV in the early ’70s when I was living in Hampden. His parents were generous, kind people from whom I learned a lot about gardening and being a couple. Jim was the center of a genial group that shaped my love of early music. He was the first person I ever heard play crumhorn, an instrument which suited his sense of humor. I remember him carving intricate roses for his lutes and sanding endlessly–an exemplary craftsman. This evening I was moved by who-knows-what to google him for the first time, only to find this recent obituary. I send sympathy to Rachael and the Bump family as they miss him in ways large and small.
Gina Papen
Today I caught up with Ann Rosebrooks, and she let me know of Jim’s passing. I send condolences with Rachel and family. Of the many talents Jim has was letter press printing, and I still have some wonderful printed pieces he did. I was pleased to count Jim as a friend, and remember such good times with music over the years before I returned to the West Coast. Well all best regards, Gina
Elizabeth NEwman
Hello Rachel and family of Jim Bump. My name is Elizabeth Newman. I bought a lute from Jim in the 1970s. I want you to know that this lute lives on and is still played and appreciated. I heard about Jim’s death through a mutual friend, Anne Stevens. I thought you would want to know that this instrument lives on!
-Elizabeth Newman
Hinesburg VT
Jeffrey Tobin
Oh how sad. Another opportunity to say “thank you,” missed. I knew James when I was a wee lad of perhaps 10 or 11 years. Jim was such a talent, and I never knew how talented he was until I reached adulthood. Kids notice things adults miss, and vice versa. I do wish I’d known him as an adult.
While at Westminster College, Jim taught me how to sketch. He taught me lettering (which to this day is the only reason people can read my handwriting. I print.) And my most vivid memory was of him giving me a tour of the harpsichord he was making. I believe there was also a clavichord there in Dr. Grave’s home in New Wilmington where Jim had a studio of sorts. I became so enamored of him and the harpsichord. Seeing the intricacies of his work -and yet how simple its mechanism – deeply affected my love of so many fascinating and unique musical instruments. Today, I play the Theremin. I believe that endeavor had its roots in Jim’s love of unique instruments.
Those days are fuzzy for me now, but I have some crystal clear memories of Jim that carry his life through me and to my own children.
Thank you, Jim.
Jeffrey