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Jim Maurer was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1990. From the start, he became a selfless champion for the Parkinson community. With sensitivity and compassion, Jim reached out to those living with this illness in ways that were both large and small. He crisscrossed New England and beyond not only presenting at large Parkinson events and programs but also visiting with fellow Parkinson persons, speaking at support groups, accompanying patients undergoing procedures, and more. His commitment not only to those with Parkinson’s but also to their care partners and families touched countless hearts.
Jim was able to utilize his personal charisma, his keen marketing sense, and his unending commitment to Parkinson’s to network with the medical, research, and patient-advocate communities. He worked tirelessly to increase awareness at a time when Parkinson’s was not talked about. This increase in awareness translated into an increase towards much needed research dollars. In addition, Jim was a teacher at heart and became a familiar face to healthcare groups as he enhanced their understanding of what PD was and what it was like to live with this disease.
Jim was the founding President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association. In this role, he expanded vital support services across the state and into the region. APDA I &R Center Coordinator Cathi Thomas recalls his efforts and passion: “Jim always had time to make a positive difference in someone’s life.”
Jim was very active in national and international organizations. He was a board member of the Parkinson Alliance and served as a Congressional Coordinator for the Parkinson Action Network. In his lifetime, Jim was the recipient of two very distinguished awards. The first was the Alan Bonander Humanitarian Award presented annually at the Parkinson Unity Walk. In 2003, he received the Millie Kondracke Award for Outstanding Advocacy at the Tenth Annual PAN Udall Meeting in Washington DC. Long time friend Andrew Card presented Jim with this recognition.
Despite numerous personal challenges as his disease progressed, Jim remained determined and devoted to advancing quality Parkinson care for all. He will be greatly missed by his many friends in the Parkinson Community. Jim leaves his loving wife Vicki, children and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, Jim’s family has requested donations in his memory be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 72 East Concord Street, C3 Boston, MA 02118 (www.apdama.org) or to South Shore Hospice, 100 Bay State Drive, PO Box 859060, Braintree, MA 02185.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011. The service will begin at 11:00 am at Saint Anthony’s Church, 10 Summer Street, Cohasset, MA 02025.