Jim Taliana spent his last days doing what he loved.

It was late November of last year when Taliana discovered his grandson had an eye for photography. He took young Andrew under his wing and showed him the many ways a camera could create art.

The next day Taliana died unexpectedly. He was 71.

Like the budding artists he inspired, Taliana instilled his love of art into the people and the world that surrounded him.   

The Boothbay region had lost a good friend on November 25, as many mourned the man who had devoted so much to his community.

Months passed. On a sunny day in March, a granite slab swirling with blue and white striations caught the eye of fellow artist Barbie Eldred, and with the efforts of the Boothbay Region Arts Foundation and the community, a stone memory bench was erected in the honor of Taliana.

The September 1 commemoration culminated with family and friends surrounding the bench inscribed with the artist's favorite phrase: “Isn't it beautiful.” 

Family members came from Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Florida to speak fondly of the man who was their brother, father, grandfather, husband and friend. 

“I think my dad had an amazing impact on his community and cared dearly for it, and truly had the spirit of generosity and wanted to encourage people to enjoy the arts, enjoy the connections of the community, and to live every day to the fullest. He was always trying to show you that beauty in life,” Renee Taliana said.

For the 11 years Jim Taliana and his wife Gloria lived in the Boothbay region, the artist’s altruism defined the reputation of a selfless man. 

“He offered his time and talent to anybody who wanted it, anybody who could use it,” said his daughter, Marie Acebo.

Stories of Taliana invoked laughter and tears as Grace-Anne, his granddaughter, handed out packets of daffodil bulbs stamped with the saying: “Be like Jim. Encourage potential.”

Eldred held the bulb and said, “We’re all going to plant these, and next spring Jim’s going to come up again.”

Taliana had left his mark on the waterfront Whale Park in Boothbay Harbor, a place where loved to paint and organize art shows during the summer.

Gloria Taliana, stood and stared at the plaque with a slight smile, “He always said ‘Isn’t it beautiful,” she said. “This is going to be here long after I’m gone.”