Cotuit, MA – James Jewel Kinney Jr, 76, of Santuit-Newtown Road, Cotuit, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at his home following a long battle with prostate cancer. His son, Jesse DeMaria-Kinney and Jesse’s wife, Marta were with him.
Born in Attleboro, on November 4, 1949, he was the first son of the late James Jewel Kinney Sr. and Rita Evelyn (Bienvenue) Kinney.
Jamie lived most of his life in Massachusetts (upper Cape Cod, Boston, Northampton and Attleboro) with a short, yet profoundly transformational period in Southern California. Throughout his life he loved reading, writing, cooking, playing guitar, singing, fishing, shell fishing, playing baseball, and travelling the world for both work and pleasure.
He lived a life marked by his tireless commitment to positive social change and dedication to the struggle for peace and justice for all life on Earth.
Since 1968 Jamie led and contributed to the creation of diverse social programs and campaigns. These include a food cooperative, a non-profit bookstore, and community organizing in Northampton; Otis Airforce base clean up leading to the John’s Pond Association, and Cape Codders for Peace and Justice, among many others.
During his career, Jamie worked diverse jobs from driving trucks to creating pewter jewelry, but writing was his passion. This led him to write for various professional organizations and initiatives with perhaps the two most significant in his life being the Kindness Ranch and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). He was fortunate to match his passion with the profession, which he did until his last days.
Jamie’s love for his wife, Dona, and his family was only rivalled by his wonder of nature; often enjoying walks in the woods with his dogs (Sasha, Tango and Seamus) and foraging for mushrooms while listening to nature’s music of birdsong and the wind rustling through the leaves.
He leaves his soulmate and beloved wife, Dona Lee Seacat; his son, Jesse and his wife, Marta; his cherished grandchildren, Aidan and Arianna; three step-children Amy, Matthew and David, their spouses; 8 step-grandchildren. Each of them carries forward his legacy in their own way, shaped by his love and honesty. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.
A private celebration of his life will be held by family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages taking time to honor Jamie’s memory by working to make a more equitable, just and sustainable world for all.
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