Thinking of James post Valentine’s day when he would make a trek to my mother’s house.  Rest in harmony, James.

Just learned of your passing. I always appreciated your calls on my Aunt Maude’s birthday., January 6, through the years.  May you Rest in Peace ! 
Love  Jeryl ❤️

My heart goes out to the Besser family for the loss of Jimmy. He had been in touch with me recent to his passing and it was a shock.  He's a very nice person. Sorry he is not still here on earth.

Still missing my long time friend James. It has also been 18 months since my own husband of 32 years Charles Fanelli passed away Feb of 2023 last year, and I am still numb from his absence having to suddenly become a widow, taking care of our only child, daughter Lily Rose who is starting her 2nd semester at Westchester Community College, after a year at Pace University and all household duties and financial responsibilities alone. James used to call me every year on my Birthday and I really miss hearing his calls and his love and support.  He also coached me regularly and think he also helped in me being hired as a Met Chorister back in 2002. He was a true Mensch! Shalom James!

I just saw that my wonderful pianist has passed on.  I was going to call him for his birthday today. He always called me on mine, and I didn't hear from him since Covid.  He played many concerts for me over 25 years.  I always commented that he supported my voice like a full orchestra, like no one else.  
My best memories are coaching at his apartment with his "friend" Lysander, listening dutifully until the session was over, and we could take him for playtime in the nearby park.
I am sure James is playing for the gods, with his best friend by his side.

James went out of his way to teach this drummer how to sing gospel music..I would like to think I was getting there but James left us too soon...on  behalf of the church of the covenant I would like to say to the besser family..we are still missing Mr. James Besser
For the years he has played the piano and organ and being a friend to the church and myself 

Sorry for this late addition. As many others have said, I grew up knowing James as Jimmy, but since we remained in contact most of our adult lives, he became James. Always brilliant, always curious, always insisting on the importance of connecting with the people in his life. It was a shock that he left the world so soon. I am now most concerned for his brother Neal who lost his greatest, and only advocate. 

Always smiling, asking what he could do to make your day better! You’ve remained in my thoughts since you played at my wedding! I shall miss more than you’ll know
Marcia

I said Kaddish for James last night (September 10) at services.

For a few years I played drums with James besser at the church of the covenant . He played the organ and the piano. And he was teaching a small group of us how to sing the hymns....he was so great and he had to leave our church for personal reasons...but he was so missed.
I am so sorry for your loss to the Besser family and friends.
God bless all.

I only knew of James recently through a podcast I listened to and he occasionally appeared on.  He was so captivating in  his stories and most certainly led a fascinating life of which I'm sure he brought joy to many he came across,  even in a short moment like myself. A talented and bright individual he will be sorrily missed . May God bless him ..

I met James when we both worked at the same NH resort at the age of 18. We shared a love of music, though he loved Bach and I loved The Beatles. Still, we became fast friends and found much in common.
I'd like to share two memories. The first was from that summer. We hitchhiked to Stowe, VT for the weekend and he decided it was time  for me to learn about opera. I was not a fan. He spent a couple of hours giving me information about opera, Wagner and Wagner's Tristan & Isolde, followed by another couple of hours listening to excerpts from the opera itself. He succeeded. Sort of. I'm still not an opera fan in general, but I love Tristan & Isolde.
The second memory was from my wedding celebration in 2014. I'd been married in Québec but had a 2nd celebration in RI for those who couldn't make it to Canada. James played piano throughout the afternoon and, for our 1st dance, he played my favorite piece from his repertoire, Debussy's Première Arabesque. I've included a photo here, and it's a memory I'll always treasure.
I find it sad beyond measure that James never found the love and peace he so deserved during his lifetime, but I rest a bit easier knowing that he found some solace with his deep and abiding friendships. R.I.P., James.

In the months prior to his death James came to visit, although we were not close friends. He urged me to return to piano studies, which had frustrated me for years. His enthusiasm convinced me to open the piano again, and he brought over some simple duets that he hoped we could play together on his birthday. Then he dropped contact, and I was unable to reach him. I just saw that music today, which brought me to tears. I doubt he knew how much he’d be missed. My sincere condolences to his family. 

I knew James for 36 years. He was one of the  most entertaining people I ever knew. He could tell a story better than anybody.  So many memories. I hope he didn't suffer in his last months.  I remember the euphoria of his 62nd birthday in a fancy French restaurant; he wanted everyone there to know how good he looked and felt!  Rest in peace. I'll never forget you.


An immensely bright and talented friend who graciously performed at my wedding.  

Dear Mrs. Besser, brothers & sisters and family of James,
Even though we have never met, I feel I share your loss and sadness as James was my Accompanist & Vocal Coach since I moved to New York, 30 years ago. He accompanied me at Concerts, Operas and Auditions with such companies as Operesque Opera, New Rochelle Opera, Taconic Opera, Regina Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. To me, James was not only a talented & gifted Mentor and Teacher but he was also a very dear friend, who I could reach out to when times got tough and often he would ask the same of me. He also never forgot my birthday and always called me on my special day in March! James was one of finest people God put on this earth, and I was privileged and honored to have called him, my friend. God be with you all during this sad and difficult time. Shalom and love, Helen 

He gave joy to the congregation at the Actors Temple. I would casually play my violin from time to time at the Temple. A quick nod to James at the piano was all it took, and then we were a duo. Peace to his family at this difficult time.

He brought beauty to the High Holiday services at the Actirs Temple.  We will miss his wonderful contributions. 

James and I have been friends since the Montrose Elementary School days and maintained that friendship even as adults. I was privileged to have James play at my wedding and so generously share his talents. I remember attending his Bar Mitzvah and having my caricature portrait drawn. In fact, we reminisced about it quite recently.  I have lots of wonderful memories of James throughout the years. He will be missed. 
Sending you warmest thoughts and condolences..
Philippa 

I knew Jim from Montrose Elementary in South Orange where he grew up.  He was two years older than me and I was friends with one of his younger brothers, Neal.  So, when I went to Neal’s house, I would see Jim, and have the pleasure of listening to him practice in the afternoon on the Besser’s grand piano.  (I knew him as Jim or Jimmy—not James.  When I talked to him in January 2020 he agreed that I could call him Jim as long as he got to call me Chucky, which is how he knew me.)

He would give concerts in elementary school, probably when he was in fifth or sixth grade.  He fit the classic description of a child prodigy.  He was that good.  And then I lost track of him until he became a member of the Montrose Elementary School Facebook page about two years ago.  We got to talk and were planning on meeting at the diner in Blairstown (NJ) since he had several pets that are buried at a pet cemetery nearby, which is not far from where I live now.  We talked over the phone and began reminiscing, but he said we should cut it short so we didn’t run out of things to talk about when we met.  

Unfortunately, we would never get to meet again.  First, Covid hit, and I waited until maybe April or May of this year, when there was a temporary lull in the pandemic, and recontacted him.  He had just been hospitalized and we spoke only briefly.  And then neither of us got back in contact with each other.  I had been thinking about him, and I deeply regret now not trying to call again.  

He was such an interesting, talented, and truly nice person.  My deepest condolences go out to his mom, Gretchen, who I knew as Mrs.  Besser.  I remember her cooking dinner while giving Jim’s youngest brother, Brian, French lessons in the kitchen of their Tillou Road home.  My condolences also go out to Neal and Brian, who not only lost their older brother, but who also lost their dad back in June, and, of course, to Gretchen who lost her wonderful husband, Al, who I knew as Mr. Besser.  

James came to Block Island in 2007 and organized the First annual Block Island Music Festival which was a success. Although he returned to the island many times, we never had the second festival. James always insisted I get out my clarinet when he came  and we played duets. He was fine pianist and will be missed here on the island.

I grew up in NJ with the Besser family and was one of Neal's best friends during school.  I got to know James (we call him "Jimmy") through Neal.  I was very saddened to hear that Jimmy passed away suddenly.  I just attended his dad's memorial recently via Zoom and I'm saddened that Jimmy only out-lived his dad by a few months.  I can say one thing:  Jimmy really really cared about Neal's health and well-being.  Jimmy always begged all of Neal's friends to stay in touch with Neal.  This showed how much Jimmy cared for Neal and how kind a person Jimmy was.  Jimmy was a very talented and brilliant person.  We will miss you Jimmy.

Peter Goldman
Seattle, Washington
Aug. 25, 2021

Jimmy was my high school friend, colleague and classmate.  He was a major influence on my opinions abouts about music, education and life.  He was generous in sharing his love of opera and his musicianship.

One memory among many (including his advising me that it was okay to climb Mt. Mansfield with him in canvas sneakers) was his convincing myself, a cellist, and our orchestra's principal violinist to rehearse and perform with him a piano trio for our high school recital night.  The composition (whose title and composer escape me, with my apologies) was atonal and jarring, replete with quarter tones.  Ultimately it was a successful and transformative experieince.   Rest well, Jimmy.

James will always be remembered by all the singers and musicians he played for and with, at the Island Lyric Opera in Long Island. We all loved him. He was a wonderful musician and he will be dearly missed in the musical world. 
It is so hard to believe that he is gone. 
Go in peace dear James. 

My condolences.  Jimmy was a kind man and loved his family.  So sorry for your loss. 


OBITUARIO

James Besser

16 febrero, 1955 – 22 agosto, 2021

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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