In Loving Memory
June 16, 1942 – July 9, 2014
James “Jim” Patrick Dillon, 72, of Dekalb, Illinois passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2014 in Pensacola, Florida. Jim earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Columbia University in the city of New York in 1974. He was a Research Professor of Ophthalmic Biochemistry and Director of the Photobiology Laboratory in the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University until 2008. He retired in 2008 and became an adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Illinois University. He served as the Director for the Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Studies at NIU.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth R. Gaillard of Dekalb, IL; sister, Therese Warden of Buffalo, New York; two brothers, Martin Dillon of Rayleigh, North Carolina and Michael Dillon of Downers Grove, Illinois; other relatives and friends. He is also survived by his two cats Max and Sam.
A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dekalb, Illinois. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to TAILS Humane Society in Dekalb, IL or to the Fight for Sight in New York, NY. Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com. Arrangements are by Hughes Funeral Home and Crematory, 7951 American Way, Daphne, AL.
My condolences and deepest sympathies. Thinking of the family in this sad time.
To Beth and others in Jim’s family:
I’m shocked and deeply saddened by Jim’s passing after seeing him a just few weeks ago at the San Diego ASP meeting. Even though Jim and I didn’t get together very often, when we did, he was always certain to raise my spirits through his incomparable sense of humor and the oft-times ridiculous moments that we experience in life. As I age, I find myself looking around for old friends and colleagues at scientific meetings, but sadly, their number is rapidly diminishing. Jim, old friend, I’ll be looking for you, but will know that you’re in a better place. Beth, I’m very sorry – please know that I’m always available if you need a shoulder to cry on.
I am shocked by Jim’s passing- we had a great discussion reocunting our days at Columbia in the early 80! He will be missed!
We were saddened by the news of Jim’s death. We were Jim’s colleagues in the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University from 1976 to 1986. We went through good times and bad times together during those years.
Dear Beth: Ed and I were very sad to hear about Jim and send our condolences to you and to his family. We did manage to see him briefly at the recent ASP meeting. He always had such such a cheerful smile and a sparkling way with him. It is so sad that he left too soon and his sense of humor and fun will be sadly missed.
My deepest sympathies to Beth and all Jim’s family.
Jim was a good friend and colleague of mine for nearly 40 years. We both studied the effects of ultraviolet light on the lens of the eye. I will miss seeing him at scientific meetings and being able to email him when there is something about the biological effects of UV light that I don’t fully understand. I will also miss his great sense of humor.
I just came to know that Jim passed away last year! At the ARVO Meetings it was always a pleasure to meet Jim!
It was in the seventies and eighties in Sarasota! His scientific ideas were great ;
And furthermore his Sense of humor!
I regret deeply that we did not meet again!