BY CALEB TOBIN
James Orcutt, the co-founder of My Brother’s Keeper, left behind a legacy of love after he passed away on January 22.
“Every waking breath is an opportunity to make the love of God known,” said Orcutt’s obituary, quoting Orcutt himself.
James and his wife Terry founded My Brother’s Keeper in 1988. The organization delivers furniture, food, and Christmas gifts to those in need. James and Terry started the charity in the basement of their Taunton home.
Today, the charity has 20 staff members, over 5,000 volunteers, and has made over 225,000 deliveries to those in need.
“My first day volunteering there, he happened to be in the warehouse, and when I went in, he showed me around, showed me everything,” said John Tiglianidis, a student at Stonehill College who volunteered with My Brother’s Keeper.
“The reason for doing it was to show kindness to those in need,” Tiglianidis said.
Tiglianidis said people would talk about how they met Orcutt when out on deliveries. Those who had met Orcutt said he was a man dedicated to helping others however he could.
“I didn’t know him for a long time, but he seemed like a good man,” Tiglianidis said.
Orcutt’s faith also played a large role in his life.
“He believed in a God who is an unconditionally loving parent, always ready to help His children without judgement. Jim’s greatest desire in life was to introduce others to the God he loved so much,” the obituary said.
James is survived by his wife of 53 years, Terry Orcutt, his sister Patricia Peters, his children, and grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Cross Church on Thursday, February 1. Orcutt was buried at South Easton Cemetery. A reception was held in the Shields Science Center at Stonehill College, which temporarily closed the main atrium and Dunkin Donuts.
Donations in honor of Jim’s life can be made to My Brother’s Keeper, PO Box 338, Easton, MA 02356 or www.MyBrothersKeeper.org/Donate
Comments