Jim Kaup, 71, scenic carpenter
James Albert Kaup of Watertown, 71, with grace and courage, died at home on January 25 after a long illness.
Son of the late James A. Kaup and Ruth Connolly Kaup, he is survived by his wife, Deborah Myerson Kaup of Watertown, his sister, Susan Kaup Kelley and his nephews, Andrew, Matthew, and Daniel Kelley.
Jim was quiet and unassuming, unless he felt called upon to make a stand on a principle. An autodidact with a vast knowledge of many subjects, he listened more that he spoke. His sense of humor endured to the very end. Some people thought Jim “could do anything.”
From the mid 1970s until 2006 Jim was a scenic carpenter at WGBH, a job that utilized his many talents. As president of AEEF, the in house union, he negotiated for fairness and safety.
In his youth he was involved with Club 47, a folk club in Harvard Square. Later he designed posters for the local concerts. While taking courses at Boston Architectural Center he interned at The Architects Collaborative.
A celebration of his life will take place in the spring. Donations in his name may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care or the charity of one’s choice
James Albert Kaup of Watertown, 71, with grace and courage, died at home on January 25 after a long illness.- Published in The Boston Globe from Feb. 2 to Feb. 7, 2016. Source
From Chas Norton
A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on April 30, 2016, at 9:30 am at Story Chapel, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.
Once he learned I had concentrated in Classics in college, he would discuss some aspect of Latin or Greek literature with me every time we ran into each other on the elevator or scene dock. It was always a treat to meet him.
Competent… creative…calm….inventive… savvy…sensible… responsible… those glasses somehow perched on the end of his nose…and with a highly developed appreciation of the absurd, Jim helped countless people turn their ideas for good television into reality. He was one more reason why WGBH was able to do such great stuff. Rest well, Jim, and thanks.
Jim was quiet. I worked with him and asked for advice on assembly of scenes at 419 Western Avenue when I used to put together sets for Julia Child. Co Bennet and Fran Mahard kind of took me under their wing and Jim was my mentor when I needed anything or direction. As you say he never spoke that much but he was a great guy. If you asked for help he never refused, and always helped with a smile. He will be missed. My condolences to the family.
From Chas Norton:
A celebration of Jim’s life will take place on April 30, 2016, at 9:30 am at Story Chapel, Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.