James Russell Mcintosh

James Russell “Jimmy Cadillac Mack” McIntosh, singer and guitar player, age 80, of Byfield, MA and formerly of Haverhill, MA, sadly passed away after a battle with cancer, on Friday morning, September 13, 2024 at Advinia Care Newburyport, formerly Country Center Nursing Home, with his wife of 49 years, Diane (Chooljian) McIntosh by his side.

Born in Newbury, MA on July 2, 1944, he was the son of the late James H. and Alice (Fisher) McIntosh. He grew up in West Newbury and attended the West Newbury School System.

James always had a love for music and learned to play guitar at the age of 14 with rhythm and blues sounds. He had written more than 500 songs throughout his lifetime career as a talented musician. His prized possession was a 1961 Gibson Les Paul SG Guitar. One of his first bands was the Rhythm Kings, followed by Peter Scott & the Fugitives, Dr. Grabow, The Raw Meat, Frankie and the Cruisers, and opening act, Band City Lights, for Natalie Cole in 1976 at Boston Symphony Hall, and also toured with legendary guitarist Roy Buchanan. He played all over the Country and Canada. He also loved to play cards with anyone that was willing to play.

James is survived by his wife, Diane (Chooljian) McIntosh, formerly of Byfield and Haverhill; four sons from a previous marriage with Dorothy (Jackman) McIntosh Shippee, who passed in 2011 - their sons are James C. McIntosh of Newburyport, Robert R. McIntosh, wife Yvette Hewitt of Salisbury, Kenneth S. McIntosh and fiancee Stefanie Paul of Kingston, NH, and Douglas A. McIntosh of Salisbury; his grandchildren, Ashley (McIntosh) Chapman and husband Eric, James McIntosh, Korey McIntosh, Katherine McIntosh, Robert McIntosh, Cote McIntosh and Conor McIntosh; and his great-granddaughter, Aliviana Grace McIntosh. He is also survived by 4 sisters, Eva (McIntosh) Snow and her husband, Nat Snow (passed in 2021) of Byfield, Hope (McIntosh) Dube and husband Ivon of Hampton, NH, Ann (McIntosh) Hyde and husband Paul (died in 2023) of Statesville, NC, and Barbara (McIntosh) Alley of Haverhill; 2 brothers, John McIntosh of Statesville, NC and Robert “Bobby” McIntosh and wife Christine of Winston Salem, NC, along with many generations of nieces and nephews, extended family members and dear friends. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his sister, Shirley (McIntosh) Brown Cruse in 2016. James will be sadly missed by family and friends.

The family wants to extend a heartfelt “Thank You” to the people from Hospice for all their care as well as those at Country Manor Nursing Home. Also a special Thank You to Sara Cleaver, social worker, for making it possible for Jimmy’s music to be played in his room while he was quietly slipping away from this life into everlasting, eternal peace.

There will be a private family graveside at Rural Cemetery, West Newbury, at a later date.