James P. Noon, Jr. born May 12, 1939, died peacefully Sept 16, 2023. Jim grew up in upstate New York, in the farming town of Sherburne. Along with his three younger sisters, Jim was raised by their single mother Margaret, a schoolteacher, following the early death of his father.
Marching in his high school band with a baritone horn, Jim developed a lifelong love of music. Always scientifically curious, as well as determined, those traits propelled him on to Cornell University, San Jose State University, and eventually Yale University with a PhD in physiology. Between living in New York and California, Jim joined the Marine Corps and played in the Marine Band in Honolulu, HI where he also married his first wife, Karen Pao Edwards.
Jim’s intellectual inquiry led him to become an instructor in neuroscience at Harvard Medical School and researcher at MGH and McLean. Jim also had an entrepreneurial energy which later spurred him to develop his own scientific advertising company, Noon Advertising and Marketing. He served over 40 high tech clients in Greater Boston.
Jim had many interests. An avid reader and tackler of the NYT crossword puzzle, he also made a family favorite spicy pot of spaghetti and loved hiking the White Mountains. Part of the Lexington Bicentennial Band for many years, Jim played his euphonium with its distinctly rich tones at warm summer concerts under the Lexington gazebo. He also sang with the Arlington Belmont Chorale and performed in many community theatre musicals.
Contributing to a religious community was always a part of Jim’s life. Raised Catholic, Jim was later an active member of the United Parish in Brookline, and then the United Parish of Auburndale. A Newton resident for over 40 years, Jim often walked for three miles or more, exploring neighborhoods with his wife Liz. Quick to laugh, discuss or shout, Jim was a challenging but also vibrant and affectionate friend, husband, and father.
He leaves his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Narva Noon: daughters Sandra (Lois Tiedemann) Noon of Kailua HI, Joan (Matthew) Vattuone, Moraga, CA son James (Billy Coker) Noon, San Diego, CA, stepdaughters Christina (Matthew) White, Northampton, MA, and Stephanie (Charles Radoslovich) Koontz, Arlington, MA. He also leaves nine grandchildren: Michael, Christopher, Riley Noon, Sofia and Dante Vattuone. Peter and Daniel White, and Benjamin and Ella Radoslovich. He is survived by one sister, Sheila Klein. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Jennifer, sisters Mary Ann Haw and Kathleen Hinton, and parents James and Margaret Noon.
A memorial service will be held at United Parish in Auburndale, on October 14, at 11 AM. Interment will be private in Newton Cemetery. Donations can be made in his name to the Society for Science or Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation.
Submitted by Eaton Funeral Home. To share a memory or to send a note of condolence, visit www.eatonandmackay.com.
