James “Jim” A. Taliana, 71, one of the most prominent artists in the Boothbay region, died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in Lititz, Pa. Jim was born in Detroit Michigan and is an alumnus of the Center for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit where he majored in advertising and fine art. He worked in an ad agency for 28 years on accounts such as Cadillac and Whirlpool, and he started his own design firm while teaching advertising at CCS until he and his wife, Gloria A. Taliana, moved to Maine in 2001.

Jim loved his family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them regardless of where they were or what they were doing. He loved photography and art. He was rarely seen without a sketch pad or a camera. He organized many art and photography shows to give budding artists a chance to show their work. Jim was the president of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation and an art instructor there. He illustrated several books including: “The Littlest Tugboat,” “The Seagull who Refused to be Ordinary,” “The Small Tall Ship,” and “The Harbor Journal Vol. I and II.”

Jim was a soccer coach for the Boothbay Harbor Wildcats girls soccer team for many years. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, gardening and writing in his spare time.

Jim is survived by his wife Gloria, his son Matthew Taliana and his daughters Marie Acebo, Renee Taliana; his brothers Roy Attard and Ed Attard, his mother Angela Bouvrette, and six grandchildren: Colleen, Brendan, Andrew and Grace-Anne Acebo; Sophie and Shayla Taliana.

A time of visitation will be held Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 from 2 to 4 in the afternoon and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simmons Harrington and Hall Funeral Home 975 Wiscasset Road in Boothbay. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 82 Atlantic Ave., in Boothbay Harbor with Father Fred Morse officiating.

Should friends desire contributions may be made in Jim’s memory to the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, 1 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, 04538.

You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington and Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, ME 04537.