James Theodore Bartlett

James Theodore Bartlett died peacefully at home In Lincoln, MA on November 7 at age 87. He was born to Theodore and Maud Bartlett in Washington DC, but most of his early years in the 1940s were spent with his mother and brother, Dick, in small Florida towns where the boys attended segregated schools. In each town, Jim and Dick would retreat to the local public library for respite and the pure joy of reading. 

 In 1950 Jim moved to live with his father in Larchmont, NY and to attend Mamaroneck High School. His high school years were marked by stimulating classes, numerous leadership roles and success on the athletic field. From there, Jim went on to graduate from Amherst College and Harvard Business School. His time at Mamaroneck, including an opportunity for a summer in Europe with the American Field Service, led to a lasting belief in the power of an excellent education.

Jim’s career in business began with work for McKinsey and Company in New York. While there he married Hanna Higgins of Boston. Immediately after their wedding, they moved to Cleveland, OH, where McKinsey had just opened an office. The next 18 years saw a number of moves as Jim took jobs in New York and Boston until they returned to Cleveland. There, Jim became president of Cleveland Twist Drill and, subsequently, president of its parent company, the Acme Cleveland Company. 

In 1985, Jim became a Managing Director of Primus Venture Partners, where he worked for the rest of his business career. Primus was the first venture capital firm between New York and Chicago, investing in the service and technology industries. 

After his retirement, Jim and Hanna moved to Boston where they lived for 10 years before settling in Lincoln, MA. Jim continued investing in private companies and, most recently, served as a director of a promising pharmaceutical start up, Criscot, where he was deeply engaged. 

From his late 20s, Jim paired his business career with a commitment to making a difference in his larger world through work with nonprofit organizations. His belief in the power of education led to his involvement at Amherst College, as well as at Berea College in Kentucky which allows students of limited means to attend college free of any tuition. His other major interest, the art world, stemmed from his college honors thesis on Mary Cassatt and led to serving as president of the board of the Cleveland Museum of Art. His tenure at CMA included a significant capital campaign that facilitated a major expansion and renovation of the museum.

Jim is survived by his wife, Hanna Bartlett; two children, Kate Bartlett of Leadville, CO, and Sam Bartlett of Winchester, MA; and three grandchildren, Ben, Jack, and Annie. These family members, as well as his daughter-in-law, Annie Bartlett, and son-in-law, Colin McFee, brought light to his life by their presence.

Jim was known for his fabulous sense of humor, his love of telling stories, and his ability to connect with individuals from all walks of life by showing more interest in them than in himself.

His last year of life was marked by numerous health challenges and the warm and skilled caring provided by Teo, Esther, Sharon, Jackie, Eddie and Jesse. Jim and his family developed a deep admiration for these healthcare aides.

 A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held in the spring of 2025. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to:
Berea College
101 Chestnut Street
Berea, KY  40404
www.berea.edu

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com