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Date: 11/29/2023
CHICOPEE — Serving Chicopee for more than 50 years, City Councilor at-Large James Tillotson is being remembered by colleagues, officials and the community for his knowledge, hard work, compassion and devotion to the city.
Tillotson, 88, died on Nov. 18, after a two-year battle with cancer. He announced earlier this year he would not run for reelection.
During the Nov. 21 City Council meeting, members shared condolences and memories of Tillotson.
Ward 6 City Councilor Derek Dobosz said he called Tillotson from time to time asking for advice, and he was always willing to share it, even if they were on opposite sides of an issue.
“It’s a huge loss to the city,” Dobosz said. “I don’t think anyone knows the city ordinances as well as Jim Tillotson.”
Ward 1 City Councilor Joel McAuliffe called Tillotson a “legendary figure in Chicopee history.”
He continued, “The amount of institutional knowledge that this board loses as a result of losing Jim is really tremendous.”
McAuliffe shared his favorite memory of Tillotson, which was watching him play in a pickup hockey game — in his upper 70s — against former Mayor Richard Kos.
Ward 5 City Councilor Fred Krampits got emotional, recalling when his father got sick and Tillotson helped and looked after him.
When there was discussion of Krampits filling his father’s council seat a year after his passing, Krampits said Tillotson gave him the courage to run as he was reluctant at first.
“He was always there as a guiding force to help me along,” Krampits said.
He went on to say that Tillotson was a man of faith and used his faith to help him make decisions. While not necessarily religious decisions for the city, Tillotson used the “moral compass” that faith gave him in making decisions, Krampits said.
Krampits noted that Tillotson devoted his life to public service.
Ward 8 City Councilor Gary Labrie said Tillotson was a mentor to him for the last 10 years.
“He was a wealth of knowledge that had no boundaries when it came to government. Anything you asked him, he knew it — he had an answer for it, he gave you, his advice.”
Ward 4 City Councilor George Balakier said Tillotson served the city with “honor and distinction” for more than 50 years as an educator, hockey coach, Ward 1 City Councilor, School Committee member and City Council at-large member.
Balakier said he learned “a lot” while sitting next to Tillotson for the past six years on the council.
Balakier shared that he used to call Tillotson a “walking encyclopedia” due to all the knowledge he had.
City Councilor at-Large Robert Zygarowksi said Tillotson was his mentor for about 20 years.
He shared, “In my opinion, he’s a legend on this council.”
Zygarowksi continued, “He loved sports, and I’m sure he’s up there either roller skating, ice skating or playing hockey.”
Ward 2 City Councilor Shane Brooks said he used to serve on the Board of Aldermen with Tillotson, and he used to call and ask Brooks if he had any questions or needed assistance. When it later turned to a friendship, Brooks said the questions turned to family and Tillotson always asked about his dog, up until their final phone calls.
“To the community of Chicopee, we’re at a loss today. It will probably be a loss that’s felt for years to come. The legacy is immeasurable in comparison to anyone who’s ever worked for the city before,” Brooks said.
City Clerk Keith Rattell said he worked with Tillotson for 30 years, serving on the Board of Aldermen where Tillotson mentored him, as he enjoyed doing with the new members.
Rattell shared that he was “lucky” to sit right next to Tillotson and was always honored to consider him a friend.
While listening to everyone’s comments, Rattell said he wrote down three words that came to mind when thinking of Tillotson: Knowledgeable, caring and hard work.
City Council President Frank Laflamme said even though he was involved in politics his whole life, when he joined the council, he still looked up to Tillotson.
“He’ll be truly missed,” Laflamme shared.
Aside from the councilors, several other officials took to social media to share sentiments about Tillotson.
Mayor John Vieau said, “God bless you, Councilor Tillotson. It was an honor and privilege to serve with you. Thank you for your service to the citizens of Chicopee for over half a century.”
The Chicopee Police Department wrote, “We are saddened to hear of the passing of Councilor Jim Tillotson. Chief Patrick J. Major and the Chicopee Police Department offer our condolences to his family and friends. Councilor Tillotson was always a strong supporter of the Police Department and was a pleasure to work with. Our thoughts are with his family in their time of sorrow. Thank you for your service to the city of Chicopee, you will be missed, sir.”
School Committee member and Ward 6 City Councilor-elect Sam Shumsky said, “Jim Tillotson was the embodiment of what it means to be a public servant.”
He continued, “I am deeply saddened that I will not have him as a mentor and someone to call on for advice. I was so looking forward to learning from Jim. For it was Jim who took a chance on a young, inexperienced 20-year-old in 2021.”
Shumsky said Tillotson was always enthusiastic with his encouragement and believed in the youth of Chicopee. “He was one of the first people in the political arena to support me when I joined the Planning Board, and for that, I will forever be grateful,” Shumsky added.
Before serving as an at-large member, Tillotson served as Ward 1 City Councilor and previously as a Ward 1 member of the Board of Alderman, a previous name for the council.
Tillotson also served two terms for Ward 1 School Committee.
Tillotson started his teaching at Lambert Lavoie Elementary School and then moved to teaching social studies at Chicopee High School, where he also served as the hockey coach.
After teaching in Chicopee, Tillotson taught social studies at the High School of Commerce in Springfield, before serving as the K-12 social studies director.
Tillotson served in the Air National Guard and was sent to Phalsbourg, France, during the Berlin Crisis.
Described by many councilors as a family man, Tillotson leaves behind his wife, Joan, and his four children and grandchildren.