Obituary: Jim Catterton

James Laurence Catterton, known as “Jim” to many around town, died peacefully at home in Concord last Friday, Dec. 13, according to his obituary. He was 61.

Catterton was born in New York City in 1952, moved to Concord in 1982 and married Lois F. Wasoff in 1992, according to an obituary posted by Concord Funeral Home.

He owned and operated Walden Associates, a local consulting firm that specialized in conservation services, appraisals and land management for clients including the Trustees of Reservations, and the Massachusetts Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Environmental Law Enforcement, among others, the obituary said.

Catterton was also a founding member of the town’s Agricultural Committee, but that was just one of his countless contributions to Concord, where he was deeply devoted to public service. More recently, Catterton was a catalyst behind the Town Governance Study Committee, which has spent months reviewing the town charter with plans to submit recommendations to the Board of Selectmen.

From the obituary:

Where vested interest is often the habit, Mr. Catterton approached all individuals and issues with reason, respect and a desire for every voice to be valued and considered.

Mr. Catterton loved to travel, and he and his wife developed close friendships in Italy. He was a gourmet cook and fine wine connoisseur, and enjoyed sharing meals with friends. Everyone who knew Mr. Catterton saw his joy in growing things and sharing them with others, from the heirloom tomatoes and other produce that he sold to local gourmet restaurants to the flowers that brought joy to many. He was also a former President and committed member of the Boston Mineral Club.   

In addition to Lois Wassof, his wife of 21 years, Catterton is survived by his mother, Gladys R. Catterton of N. Andover, MA; sister, Amy Janovsky of Andover, MA; brother, Robert Catterton of Sebastopol, CA; and his two nephews, David Janovsky and Chris Catterton.

For more on Jim Catterton, including information on services and shiva, click over to the full obituary on Concord Funeral Home’s website.