James Miller Packard passed away Jan. 30 after a three-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
He was born in Monroe to Raymond Gilmore Packard and Alice Wadlin Packard on Jan. 25, 1943.
Jim attended the Hodge School in Washington, graduated from Union High School in 1961, and the University of Maine, Orono, in 1967 with an associate degree in Agricultural Engineering. Jim always remembered his college years fondly, especially the life-long friendships formed in Phi Mu Delta fraternity.
Jim met his wife of 53 years, Bonnie Brown at Orono, and they were married in May of 1966. The couple settled in Union, where Jim went to work at Fuller Equipment as a salesman. He sold John Deere equipment for 28 years before becoming a salesman at Shepard Toyota in Thomaston for 20 years, retiring in 2015.
Jim’s work ethic is well remembered. He took great pride in insuring each customer had the best customer service even long after a sale. He was top salesman in the Northeast through John Deere and he and Bonnie enjoyed many trips including Mexico, France, Bahamas, and Bermuda as a result of top sales.
Earlier in his life, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and camping with friends and family. He fondly remembered Memorial Day fishing expeditions with Bonnie’s grandfathers, Harry and Lloyd, and father-in-law, Basil; camping in Oquossoc and Moosehead with close friends; and a snowmobile trip to Yellowstone National Park in Montana.
The family enjoyed camps in Aurora on Great Pond, Sennebec Pond in Union, and finally Northeast Carry on Moosehead Lake.
Jimmy had a quick, dry, sense of humor, still in evidence until almost his last day. He was house-proud and people marveled how pristine his vehicles were, how orderly his garage was, and how immaculate his lawn was. His continual battle against the falling leaves and sticks that marred that lawn were legendary and continued to his last days. He and his John Deere lawn/garden tractor were inseparable. Jimmy and Bonnie enjoyed going to dances, out to dinner with friends, and lots of parties.
Besides his family, lawn, and beloved Patriots, Jimmy loved his Black Labs and cats. He treasured his pets like babies.
Jim is predeceased by his parents; older sister, Lucille at 26 years old; brother, William Packard; brother-in-law, Ernest Boudreau; sister-in-law, Nancy Packard; nephews, Randall and Raymond Packard; and niece, Kathy Packard.
Survivors include Jim’s wife, Bonnie Brown Packard; son, Christopher Packard and wife Pamela of Washington; daughter, Kali Mitchell and husband Adam of Hope; beloved grandchildren, Taylor Packard of Weeks Mills, and Emma Mitchell of Hope; sister, Natalie Boudreau of The Villages, Fla.; brother, Joseph Packard of Waldoboro; nieces and nephews, Cindy Denn, Doug Boudreau, Marie Chadwick, Nate Packard, Richard Packard, and Laurie Packard.
Other survivors include Jennifer Hatch and husband Taylor of Waldoboro, and Morgan DiBenedetti and husband Thomas of Washington; and great-grandchildren, Thomas, Lincoln, and Brooklyn DiBenedetti of Washington, and Addilyn Hatch of Waldoboro.
Jimmy was extremely proud of his children and their successes, especially the parents they became. Taylor and Emma brightened his day and his teasing and joking with them was the “usual.” Three-year-old Lincoln held a very special place in his heart.
Visiting hours will be held 5-7 p.m., Wed., Feb. 6 at Hall’s Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro, with a funeral service at 2 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 7, also at Hall’s Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd., S.W. Lilburn, GA, 30047; or Paws, 123 John St., Camden, ME 04843.
Condolences may be shared at hallfuneralhomes.com..
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall’s of Waldoboro.
