James (Jim) Edward Washburn
December 15, 1934 — December 10, 2023
James Edward Washburn (Jim), born December 15, 1934, passed away peacefully with his devoted daughter by his side on December 10, 2023, five days before his 89th birthday.
Jim was born in Lewiston, Maine. He graduated from South Paris High School, Class of 1953. After graduation, Jim joined the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Mississippi. While on leave from the Navy, Jim had his first date with Anita in December 1954 and they were married in New York City on April 28, 1956. They lived in Norfolk, Virginia until they moved to Salem, New Hampshire where they raised their two children.
Jim received electronics training in the Navy. After his discharge, Jim spent his entire career at Raytheon Company, Missile Systems Division. While working there he earned an AS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Business Management.
Jim had love and respect for the outdoors, which he passed on to his son Mike. The family enjoyed hiking, fishing and waterskiing at their camp on Goose Pond. They would hike the White Mountains in New Hampshire, although Jim’s favorite mountain was Mount Katahdin in Maine. Jim enjoyed cutting, splitting and stacking firewood and found beauty in stonewalls which he maintained meticulously at his property in Maine.
Jim was very successful and well-respected in both life and work. Retiring in 1991,Jim and Anita moved to Otisfield Maine, where they built a home with a spectacular view and officially became “snowbirds” spending winters in Florida. In Maine, Jim loved his Kubota tractor and enjoyed gardening. He farmed a large vegetable garden which his grandchildren and great grandchildren remember fondly. He was very involved with the Bell Hill Meetinghouse, where he was a Director. He did repairs, opening and closing it for events and took care of the grounds. In Florida, he was very active at Greentree Villas.Jim would eagerly help with maintenance projects and events. “Although never a board member, Jim always worked with the board” for the good of the community.
Jim was a very intelligent man but equally witty. He always had a joke or quick come back. Jim enjoyed listening to music or watching TV in his green chair after dinner. He loved all types of music and would sing along with them. Recently, the song that brought Jim much joy was “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. One of his favorite shows was Jeopardy. He would typically answer more questions correctly than the nightly winner. Jim started playing Wordle and had a weekly Wordle tournament with his daughter, Debbie. The trophy emoji was passed to the winner each week. Most weeks it went to Jim!
Jim has been described as having a twinkle in his eyes. He saw the beauty in life, nature, and those he loved. Jim often praised Anita for taking such good care of him and their family. For the last few years, Jim lovingly took care of Anita. Besides caring for her, he showed his love in simple ways like picking her two hibiscus flowers every day and putting one next to her chair and one on the table. They were a truly special couple who created an amazing life together and many memories for their family.
Jim will be missed by his family and friends especially by his daughter, Debbie and husband, Michael Lucci, his son, Michael Washburn, his grandchildren: Erin Distelbrink and husband, Nick, James Campbell and wife, Meghan, Jennifer Trela and Daniel Washburn, and his great grandchildren: James, Evelyn, Lila, Ryan, and Nicholas as well as Marjorie Baird, his sister and David Campbell, his former son-in-law. Jim was predeceased by Anita, his beloved wife of 67 years and his parents: Harlan Washburn and Josephine Jewell.
His family is extremely grateful for Marcia, Claudia and others who took care of Jim (and Anita) with respect and kindness as well as Chaplain Greg who comforted and supported Jim, Anita, and their family.
Arrangements will be made by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach, Florida. A celebration of life was held for both Jim and Anita on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at Greentree Villas. The date for a service and burial in Maine will be shared by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim’s memory to Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association, 271 Shore Rd, Otisfield, ME 04270.
Jim was born in Lewiston, Maine. He graduated from South Paris High School, Class of 1953. After graduation, Jim joined the U.S. Navy where he served on the U.S.S. Mississippi. While on leave from the Navy, Jim had his first date with Anita in December 1954 and they were married in New York City on April 28, 1956. They lived in Norfolk, Virginia until they moved to Salem, New Hampshire where they raised their two children.
Jim received electronics training in the Navy. After his discharge, Jim spent his entire career at Raytheon Company, Missile Systems Division. While working there he earned an AS in Electrical Engineering and a BA in Business Management.
Jim had love and respect for the outdoors, which he passed on to his son Mike. The family enjoyed hiking, fishing and waterskiing at their camp on Goose Pond. They would hike the White Mountains in New Hampshire, although Jim’s favorite mountain was Mount Katahdin in Maine. Jim enjoyed cutting, splitting and stacking firewood and found beauty in stonewalls which he maintained meticulously at his property in Maine.
Jim was very successful and well-respected in both life and work. Retiring in 1991,Jim and Anita moved to Otisfield Maine, where they built a home with a spectacular view and officially became “snowbirds” spending winters in Florida. In Maine, Jim loved his Kubota tractor and enjoyed gardening. He farmed a large vegetable garden which his grandchildren and great grandchildren remember fondly. He was very involved with the Bell Hill Meetinghouse, where he was a Director. He did repairs, opening and closing it for events and took care of the grounds. In Florida, he was very active at Greentree Villas.Jim would eagerly help with maintenance projects and events. “Although never a board member, Jim always worked with the board” for the good of the community.
Jim was a very intelligent man but equally witty. He always had a joke or quick come back. Jim enjoyed listening to music or watching TV in his green chair after dinner. He loved all types of music and would sing along with them. Recently, the song that brought Jim much joy was “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley. One of his favorite shows was Jeopardy. He would typically answer more questions correctly than the nightly winner. Jim started playing Wordle and had a weekly Wordle tournament with his daughter, Debbie. The trophy emoji was passed to the winner each week. Most weeks it went to Jim!
Jim has been described as having a twinkle in his eyes. He saw the beauty in life, nature, and those he loved. Jim often praised Anita for taking such good care of him and their family. For the last few years, Jim lovingly took care of Anita. Besides caring for her, he showed his love in simple ways like picking her two hibiscus flowers every day and putting one next to her chair and one on the table. They were a truly special couple who created an amazing life together and many memories for their family.
Jim will be missed by his family and friends especially by his daughter, Debbie and husband, Michael Lucci, his son, Michael Washburn, his grandchildren: Erin Distelbrink and husband, Nick, James Campbell and wife, Meghan, Jennifer Trela and Daniel Washburn, and his great grandchildren: James, Evelyn, Lila, Ryan, and Nicholas as well as Marjorie Baird, his sister and David Campbell, his former son-in-law. Jim was predeceased by Anita, his beloved wife of 67 years and his parents: Harlan Washburn and Josephine Jewell.
His family is extremely grateful for Marcia, Claudia and others who took care of Jim (and Anita) with respect and kindness as well as Chaplain Greg who comforted and supported Jim, Anita, and their family.
Arrangements will be made by Scobee-Combs-Bowden Funeral Home in Boynton Beach, Florida. A celebration of life was held for both Jim and Anita on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at Greentree Villas. The date for a service and burial in Maine will be shared by the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jim’s memory to Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association, 271 Shore Rd, Otisfield, ME 04270.
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