James John Kilgore

James John Kilgore age 33 of Ayer formerly of Pepperell passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was the loving fiancée of Carla Jacobson and father to their newborn daughter Gwenyth Rose Kilgore of Ayer.

Jimmy was born in Boston on January 11, 1984 the son of John P. and Alexandra (Cummings) Kilgore of Wilton, NH. Raised and educated in Pepperell, he graduated from North Middlesex High School and later attended Middlesex Community College and the New England Institute of Art where he studied art and photography.

He was very artistically talented and created beautiful photographic images, carvings, and other works of art. Jimmy was a skilled woodworker and craftsman. Working as a carpenter for Design Dynamics in Arlington, he framed and built houses and specialized in cabinetry and detailed finish work. He was always up for a new challenge on the job and took great pride in his work, which was admired by many.

An adventuresome soul, Jimmy loved the outdoors, nature, and animals. He spent endless hours in the White Mountains, mining for gemstones with friends and family and the enjoying the cool mountain streams. He also loved the ocean, sometimes staying out all night deep sea fishing with friends. In June of 2017, at their special place on Salisbury beach, Jimmy asked Carla to marry him, expressing his long-term devotion and love for Carla.

Many friends were inspired by Jimmy's strength and courage. When first diagnosed with Cardiac Angiosarcoma, he shared a Native American mantra Kihelakayo, which means even in the face of great difficulty, you must always keep going. He did exactly that. He showed great dignity, courage, and determination throughout his fight with cancer, and he never gave up hope. He lived each day with a fullness of love and life that inspired all those around him.

Family was the center of Jimmy's life. Jimmy's kind, loving, and gentle spirit lives on in his baby Girl, Gwenyth Rose, who was born August 10. Along with his fiancée and daughter, he is also survived by his parents, his sisters Julia Kilgore of Worcester and Jennifer Kilgore and her husband David Antaya and their newborn son, Gabriel Alexander of Wilton, NH.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Jimmy on Saturday, October 7th, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home, 45 School Street, Groton. His funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm. Burial will be private.


In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory can be made to:
Angiosarcoma Awareness
151 N. Nob Hill Rd., Suite 182
Plantation, FL 33324
www.cureasc.org
or
Gwenyth Rose Kilgore
c/o Badger Funeral Home
P.O. Box 266
Littleton, MA 01460