James E. "Jim" Milne

PEABODY - James E. "Jim" Milne, 71, of Peabody, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026 surrounded by his family. A devoted partner, father, grandfather, uncle and brother, Jim was a man who lived life fully and leaves behind a legacy of warmth, laughter, and love.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Jim was the youngest son of the late Chalmers and Jacqueline (Merkle) Milne. He grew up in Danvers, graduated from Danvers High with the class of 1972, and went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Salem State University. Jim built a rewarding career as a product engineer, most recently with ARC Technologies. He also worked as a bartender and co-owned a bar for many years which suited his outgoing nature and love of fun and good company.

Jim was a man with many interests and a genuine enthusiasm for life. The water was always a constant in his life — he boated, swam, and in his younger years explored the deep as a scuba diver. A talented and passionate cook, Jim was known for putting real care into everything he made in the kitchen. He also found joy in quieter pursuits – spending time in the yard gardening, losing himself in a good book, and taking on the daily challenge of a crossword puzzle.

Jim is survived by his beloved partner, Patti Roberts; his daughters, Melanie Steeves and her husband Josh Simmonds of Stoneham, and Jaclyn Milne and her husband Ben Howland of Billerica; brother, Thomas Milne of Florida, and brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Anna Milne of Arizona; his grandchildren, Roy, Zachary, and Wrenley; his niece and nephew, Anthony and Joanna Milne; and his cherished dog, Milo.

ARRANGEMENTS: A celebration of life for Jim will be held at a later date. Assisting with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations-Funerals-Celebrations, 167 Maple Street, Danvers. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com