J ames (Jim) Norman Gwin, 64 years old and a resident of Salem, MA, died peacefully at Salem Hospital on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from complications after surgery. He was born in Salem on September 29, 1957, the son of Edward and Helen Gwin and the brother of Tom.

Jim married Jennifer Lucht, the love of his life, in Salem on March 22, 2014. A graduate of Salem High School and the New England Conservatory of Music where he was on faculty, Jim began his career as a musician at an early age accompanying his father at local concerts. While Jim was a talented multi-instrumentalist, drums were his passion. In his career as a drummer, he traveled the world performing in diverse settings and venues. Jim was perhaps best known in his role as the drummer of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Colleagues describe Jim's unique versatility, lyrical style, supportive sensibility, and alive flowing beat as some of the defining attributes of his musical talents. In addition to his excellence as a musician, Jim was known for his creative cooking, extremely dry sense of humor, and love for family, friends, and animals.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, of Salem; brother, Tom, and his wife, Nancy Beardall, of Newton; nephew, Darren Gwin, of Waltham; niece, Tori Gwin, and her husband, Chris Krukowski, and their son, Will, of Chicago; cousin Marc McLeod, of Kauai; cousin Jean McLeod, of Marco Island; and many other cousins, in-laws, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Sq. W in Salem, MA from 12-4 pm on Saturday, January 8. A celebration of his life with music and stories will be held at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, organizations for donations will be communicated at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by the Murphy Funeral Home. Condolences can be left via the online guestbook found at www.murphyfuneralhome.com.