IN MEMORIAM
Brimmer’s Beloved Bean Counter James Orr, Jr., Former Treasurer of the Board and Trustee Emeritus
J
ames H. Orr, Jr., father of alumna Christine Orr ’91, Board of Trustee Treasurer for over 30 years, and Trustee Emeritus, passed away on January 14, 2021, after a short period of declining health. Jim was 93 years old and is survived by his wife Jane Orr of Dover, MA, daughter Christine Orr ’91 and grandchildren James and William of Hingham, MA, and son Alexander Orr of Wrentham, MA. He was predeceased by his two brothers, David, an identical twin, in 1972, and younger brother Jack in 2014.
Jim and his wife Jane first became involved at Brimmer and May in 1987 when their daughter Christine enrolled. Jim quickly joined the Board of Trustees and served as Treasurer of the Board until 2018. Jim believed that Brimmer was transformational for his daughter, and he delighted in other examples of the power of a Brimmer and May education. After he stepped off the Board, Jim continued to attend committee meetings and share his wisdom as a Trustee Emeritus. Through the years, Jim served on many Brimmer Board Committees, including Development, Governance, Executive, Building, and Finance, and rarely missed a meeting. His most important role, however, was Treasurer or “Bean Counter” as he often referred to himself. For 30-plus years, Jim made it his business to ensure that the School’s operating budget was balanced, funds were properly invested, faculty and staff were paid, the buildings and grounds were maintained, the Business Office ran smoothly, and the School continued to operate in good standing. Jim was also an incredible supporter of the School, always donating at the highest levels for Annual Giving and always looking for
IN MEMORY OF JIM’S LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO THE HEALTH AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF BRIMMER AND MAY, THE “JIM ORR BEAN COUNTER FUND FOR UNRESTRICTED ENDOWMENT” HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN HIS MEMORY. IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, PLEASE SEND IT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AT BRIMMER OR CONTACT ELIZABETH SMITH AT ESMITH@BRIMMER.ORG OR 617-739-5289. YOU MAY ALSO GIVE ONLINE, INDICATING “JIM ORR BEAN COUNTER FUND” IN THE NOTES.
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Spring 2021 Brimmer Magazine
ways to contribute major gifts where they were most needed. There are signs of his generosity all over the Brimmer campus today—the Orr Field and Fieldhouse on Dedham Street, the Orr Fitness Center in the Thompson Gymnasium, and the Orr Media Center in the Hastings Center along with many contributions to endowment. Devoted to the School for decades, Jim was that rare person who gave both the gift of his time and talent as well as his treasures. Jim’s dedication, leadership, and wisdom were unmatched. We have truly lost Brimmer’s greatest friend. “Jim created space and time for everyone, and I always felt, especially for me,” recalls Head of School Judy Guild. “He would show up and be present when it mattered most. One of my fondest and most recent memories of Jim was earlier this fall when he came by campus to watch the children at school as they were learning how to stay safe during a pandemic. I rushed over to see him and asked if he had seen the students playing on the new playground. He parked his car, came to the back gate, and smiled with the brightest of his smiles, and said, ‘This is good. This is really good.’” ■
