Frank A. James, 84, died Monday, February 13, 2017 at home in the presence of family after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. SERVICES: A MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL WILL BE CELEBRATED ON FRIDAY, MAY 19TH AT 11 O’CLOCK AT ST. CHRISTOPHER CHURCH, 62 MANCHESTER STREET, NASHUA. INTERMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN EDGEWOOD CEMETERY FOLLOWED BY A LUNCHEON AND CELEBRATION OF FRANK’S LIFE AT THE NASHUA COUNTRY CLUB, FAIRWAY STREET, NASHUA AT 12:30 P.M.
Frank is survived by his wife and best friend of 61 years, Jacquelyn James; his brother Major L.W. Gates and wife Susan, and his sister Carol A. James. His three children: F. Andrew James and wife Mary-Kay, Julie James Dwyer and husband Daniel, and Jeffrey James and his wife Alyson. He also leaves behind eight adoring and treasured grandchildren: Dylan (Meaghan) James, Keith James, Hannah James, Carly James, Michael Dwyer, Kristina (Paul) McLaughlin, William (Marcy) Dwyer and Elijah Knight as well as many other In -Laws, nieces, nephews and loving friends. Frank was predeceased by his sisters Evelyn and Betty and brothers Ray and Tom.
Frank was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After his mother’s sudden death due to pneumonia, Frank was sent to Home of the Holy Family orphanage in Cleveland at the age of 3. He lived there for 6 years before he was taken in by his foster parents, William and Grace Gates of Norwalk, Ohio. It was this act of kindness and generosity on the part of the Gates family that helped shape Frank’s life more than any other. The Gates’ provided Frank with a template of how a family unit functions, a model which he would strive to duplicate in his own life.
Frank graduated from St. Paul’s high school in Norwalk, Ohio 1950. “I graduated 26th in my class” he liked to tell people before adding that his graduating class was composed of 26 students. After graduation Frank joined the Navy. While serving in Squadron VP-11 at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine, he met a young woman at a dance hall one Friday night and asked her to dance. Her name was Jacquelyn St. Pierre. After the dance, Frank told his friend “I’m going to marry that girl.” Eighteen months later they were married on April 7, 1956. After receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, Frank was accepted into the University of Delaware on a probationary basis. He graduated three and a half years later with honors and a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He took a job with Raytheon in Lewiston, Maine and then DuPont in Richmond, Virginia before transferring to DuPont’s Boston office and settling in Nashua, NH.
In 1970, now with three young children, Frank, with his wife Jackie behind him, helped launch Shrink Packaging Systems Corp with his associate Jim Gieber. He loved competition and earning the respect of peers and competitors. He chaired various industry advisory councils in his long career. Frank helped create important packaging machinery patents and SPS has been a leader in their industry for more than 46 years. Frank was a natural leader and derived great satisfaction from the growth and accomplishments of the SPS team. Customers like Parker Bros Games and Hasbro meant his kids were the first on their block with a new GI Joe or Nerf product.
Always a champion of underdogs, Frank was proud of his service to the Nashua Children’s Home. He served and led their Board during a critical time in the growth of their mission.
His faith helped sustain him through his illness. Frank was an active member of St. Joseph, St. Christopher and finally Immaculate Conception Catholic parishes in Nashua.
Frank and Jackie created wonderful memories hosting family and friends at their Cape Cod home. A 2006 Mediterranean 50th Anniversary Cruise with their kids and families will always be everyone’s favorite vacation. Frank played tennis and golf and always enjoyed a combative game of liar’s dice with family and friends. His friend and helper, Eva Davis, was a respected cribbage adversary. Frank was a loyal fan of his adopted Boston teams. He loved to get together with family for Patriots, Red Sox and Celtics games. As a long time season ticket holder, he was at Opening Day in 2005 when the Red Sox raised their first Championship banner in 86 years. He was also at game 6 in 1975 when Fisk hit his dramatic home run that sent the series to game 7.
A Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated in May at Immaculate Conception Parish in Nashua, NH. A party celebrating Frank’s life will follow that Mass. (As he instructed)
Memorial donations may be made to www.fc2success.org (a charitable organization that provides scholarships to foster children) or to The Nashua Children’s Home / attn. Dave Villiotti nashuachildrenshome.org
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
