AUBURN — Jim Chaplin lived an exceptional and meaningful life, always proud of being an Auburn hometown boy. A chance meeting began a love story for Jim and Diane Chaplin. They married in 1980 on a lovely summer day, one of his happiest, he said.

Jim was the son of Joseph and Virginia Tufts Chaplin Jr. Jim played basketball and was a lanky, right-handed baseball pitcher, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1967. He attended UMaine in Orono, where as a junior he posted one of the most notable seasons in Black Bear history. Jim’s 1.02 ERA that year — a UMO record which still stands to this day — ranked third in the nation. In his final start that year, Jim pitched a 13-inning complete game, struck out 15 and scored the winning run to clinch a tie for the Yankee Conference Championship.

In 1970, Jim was selected to the All New England Cape Cod League, playing for Yarmouth. He made the all-star team, where he earned the second-lowest ERA on the Cape, and played in Yankee Stadium. A member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Jim graduated from UMaine in 1971, with a major in political science. Jim continued to combine his love of baseball with his dedication to share the sport with young athletes. He pitched and coached the Auburn ASAS and coached the 1974 and 1975 Auburn Senior Little League teams that won consecutive New England Regional Championships. Jim believed that baseball taught him important lessons about winning and losing. He said his greatest catch came in 1984, when his big hands were the first ones to hold his only son, John. Jim also coached teams at the Auburn Rec and Suburban Little League throughout John’s childhood. In honor of his outstanding baseball career, Jim was inducted into the Auburn-Lewiston Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Jim spent his entire professional life working to improve the health, well-being and safety of Maine’s children. His career with the Department of Health and Human Services spanned 27 years. Earning his master’s degree from Boston College in 1988 allowed him to become the director of the Division of Childcare Licensing. Upon retirement from state government, Jim worked for the Spurwink School, coordinating accreditation and licensing for seven years. Jim also served the district court as a guardian ad litem for children in foster care.

At Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Jim received the miraculous gift of a new heart. With the skill and care of so many over these last 11 years, a countless number of Jim’s dreams have been realized. His respect for and gratitude to all brave organ donor families is shared by those who love him.

Jim was a wonderful husband, the best father, a great listener and took such pleasure enjoying his family and friends. He loved music, played guitar and golf. Jim’s membership at Martindale Country Club allowed for continued sportsmanship and camaraderie, always wanting to be part of a team. He relished his hours of skiing, boating and fishing on the ocean and the lakes of his forever home, Maine.

The Chaplin family are members of the First Universalist Church (Unitarian Universalist). Jim assumed many leadership roles, including board president and stewardship campaign co-chair. In 2013, Jim and Diane were honored by the congregation with the Rose Window Award for their dedicated service over many decades.

Jim’s personal reflections in recent years reveal his wish to be remembered most for his commitment to helping children and other vulnerable people, and for his love of his family and community. A man of high ideals, he recognized that growth and change require hard work, determination and perseverance. Jim believed in being responsible for one’s individual actions, the importance of taking risks and seeing the gifts of each new day.

Jim leaves a remarkable legacy and will remain remembered and held in great love by his wide circle of friends and the family that he so treasured. “The Comeback Kid,” as he often called himself, took his final walk to the pitcher’s mound in peace and with great dignity. He passed under the compassionate, professional care of hospice house staff and in the presence of his family.

Jim is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Diane, of Auburn; his faithful and beloved son, John, of East Boston; sisters Sarah Isaacson, Anne Chaplin Gould, and his aunt, Elizabeth Goodrich, all of Maine; Diane’s brother, Jay Midgette, of Massachusetts; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

You are invited to offer your condolences and share fond memories with Jim’s family by visiting his guest book at www.thefortingroupauburn.com.

James S. Chaplin

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