CAMPBELL, James P. (60) of Boston, beloved son of the late Rita G. Campbell of Cambridge, MA and much loved husband of Jeffrey Sutfin of Boston, MA.
He is survived by his sister Rita Dinn of Boxford, his sister Patricia Sayers and husband John of Boxford, MA, his niece Jennafer Lyons, husband Caleb, and their daughter Aislin of Oberageri, Switzerland, niece Autumn Dolan and husband Christopher of Boxford, MA, nephew J. Martin Dinn of Seattle, WA, nephew Timothy J. Sayers of Beverly, MA, brother-in-law James Sutfin of Winthrop, MA.
Born in Somerville in 1946, he attended Somerville High School and Vesper George School of Art in Boston. He first established his creative talents and skill for working effectively with people through retail advertising. His unique and complex chocolate designs were found in multiple fundraisers throughout Boston (Boston Museum of Science, National Kidney Foundation, American Diabetes Association). Later, he worked diligently advocating for those in need –especially for the HIV positive community.
Not long after learning he was HIV positive, Jim immediately began searching for ways to advocate for others who were struggling with HIV. His work started with assisting HIV positive people in their search for affordable, safe housing. He joined The New England AIDS Education and Training Center (NEAETC) as a member of the resource faculty, where he provided countless hours of education for health professionals, students and interested others throughout New England. Jim’s tireless efforts also included organizing events during Gay Pride Week as a founding member of the Senior Gay Coalition. He made sure that each year there was a focus on increasing awareness of HIV. He also served as Chair of the Massachusetts Ryan White Planning Council for several years.
His advocacy took him from New England to Washington, DC to testify before Congress, as well as to South Africa, Europe, and Asia to attend many of the World AIDS Meetings.
His most recent focus was on HIV positive people who were aging. As President of the New England Association of HIV over Fifty (NEAHOF), Jim worked tirelessly, with Jeff by his side, to ensure the quality of available care for the aging HIV population through education and political action. He championed the Annual NEAHOF Conference held each September to ensure that HIV in the aging population was always in the spotlight, and to provide the most recent scientific information about this increasingly important group.
Jim is already missed by his many friends and colleagues in the HIV and Senior Gay Coalition arenas.
He will be remembered fondly, and loved forever.
A life celebration service will be held on Sunday, September 27, at 2:30 pm at the Old West Church, 131 Cambridge St, Boston 02114. All friends and relatives are invited. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to NEAHOF (New England Association for HIV Over Fifty), 38 Chauncy St, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02111 and do one kind deed for someone in his memory.