b'The Measure of A Life Jim McCawley, editor of ABC Magazine passed away quietly in his sleep on February 23, 1969, at Henrotin Hospital, Chicago, at the age of 69, from a massive cerebral hemorrhage suffered three days before at his desk, just 24 hours the March issue went to press and 24 hours before he was scheduled to depart from OHare Airport bound for the NRCA Convention in San Francisco. It was the first convention that Jim missed in 45 years.Friends called, wired, and wrote to report that the entire convention was saddened by his absence, and several were reported leaving the meeting upon hearing the news of his passing.He was not only missed at they seminars, but also at the luncheon table and banquet, where he always insisted on saying Robert Burns Grace, after the usual invocation.It went like this:Some hae meat and cannie eat, Some hae none that want it, But we hae meat and we can eat, So let the Lord be Thankith. Amen.Jim McCawley was without doubt an eccentric, and he wore his eccentricities like a badge and was loved for them.Indifferent to dress, he was as described by Don Ollesheimer, a Michigan roofing supplier, Oor JamieWi the glasses set awry, Wi the lazy coat and trousers, and a sadness in his eye, Hes no a braw appearin laddie, but ye ken the warmth inside, and the smile ye get from Jamie, is a pleasure while ye bide. Jim was always quick to compliment, slow to criticize, appreciative of any favors.He had a strong will that refused comprise on any issue on which he felt was right.With his brilliant intellect, reminiscent of the absent minded professor, he occasionally but unintentionally by-passed friends without greeting at conventions, preoccupied with a problem he was mulling over for someone else. Unambitious for self, but indefatigable in his devotions to the roofing industry, Jims unrealized dream was to have sufficient advertising revenue to support 100 editorial pages monthly, not because each month he was faced with the unpleasant dilemma of rejecting editorial material of considerable merit which contracts could use with profit and advantage. Jim gave unstintingly of his time, energy and money even when none could be spared.No request was too big, not too small.He answered every J:\\ASSOC\\MRCA\\Living History\\1969\\The Measure of A Life-McCawley Bio.doc'