He was born in New Canaan, CT, on October 15, 1952, the son of James J. Mann Jr. and his late wife Lois Haigh Mann. James was educated in the New Canaan, CT, schools and was a graduate of New Canaan High School. James earned his bachelor's degree in transpersonal psychology from Burlington College in Vermont.
He continued his education at the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville, FL, where he received his professional training in 1986. Later that year, James returned to Vermont, where he opened a massage therapy practice, providing services to the employees of BF Goodrich Co., to the Cabot Creamery, to various chiropractic offices in the central Vermont region, and to the Craftproducers Marketplace craft shows across the New England region.
Deeply dedicated to his friends, learning and the arts, James was an avid music lover, musician and vocalist. He played flute, piano, guitar and drums, and would perform with various pick-up bands whenever the opportunity presented itself.
He was also an aspiring disc jockey, who had a late night program on the University of Vermont's radio station for a short time.
He also had a passion for photography and spent the last 10 years exploring its possibilities.
One of his greatest personal accomplishments was participating in Bike for Peace in 1983, cycling 1,200 miles through Scandinavia and Russia with an international team of cyclists promoting world peace and understanding.
He was a very engaged member of the Human Awareness Institute (HAI), a community dedicated to personal growth and awareness, through which he continued his lifelong commitment to understanding personal relationships and human potential.
Besides his father, James leaves his beloved daughter, Ruby Ross of Charlottesville, VA, and her mother, Lauri Ross; his caring sister, Elizabeth "Tigger" Mann of Easton, CT; and a huge community of loving friends.
A celebration of James' life will be held at a time and place to be determined.
Those who would like to attend can email
Those wishing to make memorial contributions can donate either to the Ruby Ross Educational Fund for the continuing education of his daughter or to a charity of choice.
