James (Jamie) Harding MacMillan of Belfast, beloved partner of Gail Wartell, died peacefully Monday, May 11, in Belfast, surrounded by friends and relatives.

Jamie was born on October 30, 1950, in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, to Allan Lesley and Charlotte Philpott MacMillan, and at age six moved to Belfast when his family relocated there. He and Gail resided at Belfast CoHousing, where he was a valued and active member of the community.

Jamie earned an Associate Degree at UMaine, and was briefly a veterinary tech before finding his life-long career as a carpenter. Jamie loved to dance, especially 5Rhythms, and more recently was learning Scottish Country Dance. He also loved to go to saunas. He was an avid and knowledgeable gardener and established an orchard at Belfast CoHousing.

Jamie was very proud of his connection to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, where many generations of both sides of his family lived. In recent years, he felt drawn to connect to his Scottish roots. He and Gail traveled to Scotland three times. He especially loved the wild places on the Outer Hebrides, where he took many photographs. 

He is survived by his brother Scott, of Halifax, Nova Scotia; daughter Sara Davis Babbidge and granddaughter Betsy Babbidge, both of Islesboro; daughter and son-in-law Vespre and Noah Gotlieb, and granddaughter Melanie of Port Washington, NY. He treasured his relationship with Gail’s son Jacob Wartell and his wife Divina Iyer; Gail’s daughter Becky Wartell and spouse Seven Siegel and particularly their daughter Vaiva Siegel, whom Jamie adored. He was very close to his niece, Sarah Oliver of Barre, Massachusetts.

Jamie converted to Judaism a decade ago and was a member of Adas Yoshuron Synagogue in Rockland.

Jamie was very active in the soup kitchen, Loaves and Fishes, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Rockland. Donations in his honor may be made to Adas Yoshuron Synagogue, noting that they are for Community Meals. (PO Box 1250, Rockland, ME 04181.)

There was a small grave-side service on Thursday, May 14, at the Belfast CoHousing cemetery.


Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com