James F. “Jimmy” Carlin, Jr., 46 of Seattle, WA and formerly of Shrewsbury passed away on Friday October 20, 2017 after being diagnosed with cancer in February.

Jimmy started his treatment, and was strong like a lion fighting his way through the illness, but in July he could not fight this battle any longer. He stopped his treatment and decided to enjoy the rest of his days with his family and friends. We will all miss our lion heart…

Born in Worcester, Jimmy grew up in Shrewsbury where he graduated from Worcester Technical High School. In 1992, he set out across the county to make a life for himself in Seattle, Washington, where he thrived. Jim’s gifts and talents were abundant and diverse, centering on an appreciation of food, beauty, hospitality, nature and the joy of creation, whether he was working as a gardener, landscaper, master baker, master chocolatier, sugar artist, culinary professor or passionate chef, Jim loved to design beautiful things the tasted amazing, and he loved to make thing grow.

His accomplishments were many: he ran his own landscaping business, Carlin’s Garden’s, and his own” edible art” company, Dreamysweet. Jimmy’s awe-inspiring sugar art and cake designs brought delight to many a wedding and special event, and won him many city awards: he was an annual fixture at Seattle’s prestigious Chocolate for Choice contest benefiting Planned Parenthood, where his legendary creations won various prizes including the People’s Choice. Always motivated to learn and grow, Jimmy earned a culinary degree from Seattle Central Community College (baking and pastry), and studied at Seattle Culinary Academy, and topped it all off with his study of chocolate manufacturing at Escuela de Chocolateria Calebaut in Quebec, from which he emerged proudly with the title he was born for: Master Chocolatier.

He was an integral team member at many of Seattle’s best markets, including PCC Market (head master baker and decorator), Metropolitan Market (assistant bakery manager), and Whole Foods (regional merchandiser and florist). He thrived on the deeply gratifying work of teaching and mentoring students at Seattle’s Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, where Chef Carlin will be deeply missed.

Jimmy leaves his father James F. Carlin, Sr., and his wife Mary E. Greene-Carlin of Shrewsbury, two brothers, Christopher Carlin and his wife Anh Dao of Webster and Shawn Carlin and his wife Alyssa of Fitchburg; his step brother, Robert Jones and step-sister, Molly Jones both of Shrewsbury; his favorite nieces Gabby, Alivia and Kayla and his favorite nephew, Dylan; he also leaves his spouse, Benjamin Munoz of Seattle as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved mother Mary A. (Boulay) Carlin who met him in heaven with her loving arms open with joy to be with her son Jimmy again.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jimmy’s family on Wednesday November 1, 2017 from 4-7 pm in the BRITTON-SHREWSBURY FUNERAL HOME, 648 Main Street, Shrewsbury. His funeral will be on Thursday November 2, 2017 with a funeral Mass celebrated at 11:00 am in Saint Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury. Memorial donations may be sent to Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center (www.danafarberbostonchildrens.org)