Richard S. James, 65, of Wiscasset, died peacefully May 15 in the arms of his wife, his high school sweetheart. He was born in Dresden on Aug. 28, 1942, a son of Thomas M. James and Doris E. (Meserve) James. He attended Dresden schools and graduated from Bridge Academy in Dresden. In 1960 he was employed at Bath Iron Works as a lead man and he left due to health reasons in 1989.
On Sept. 24, 1960 he married Bernadine Bailey. He was a member of the Nazarene Church of Wiscasset. He spent 15 winters in Florida and summers in Maine with the family. He loved gardening and would share much of his fresh grown food with family and friends. He also enjoyed the outdoor, hunting and fishing.
Richard was predeceased by one grandson, PFC Andrew Richard Small, and two brothers, Robert James and Gordon James.
He is survived by his wife, Bernadine James of Wiscasset; son, Richard James and wife Brenda of St. Paul, Minn.; three daughters, Cynthia Small and husband Terry of Wiscasset, Cathleen Harper and husband Robert of Woolwich and Cheryl Shull and husband David of Wiscasset; brother, Karl James and wife Gloria of Richmond; four sisters, Kathleen Durrell and husband Bert of Gardiner, Sylvia Seigers of Richmond, Nancy Brown and husband George of Richmond and Marylou Galloway of Dresden; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside service 2 p.m., Mon., May 19 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Dresden with Pastor Wally Staples officiating.
Arrangements are by Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset.