James Edward Norris Jr. was born to Eleanor Tower and James Norris on Oct. 28, 1946, in Ellsworth. Jim lost his battle with cancer at his home on Marlboro Beach in Lamoine on Oct. 3, 2019, surrounded by his loved ones. He has gone to meet our Lord and to start his next great adventure.
After graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1964, Jim volunteered for service in the Vietnam War serving two tours (four years) with the Navy’s Seabees before being honorably discharged with the Purple Heart after being injured in the war.
In 1970, Jim married Cindy Fletcher from Lamoine. In 1970, Jim started his career as a construction lineman for New England Telephone Co., now Consolidated Communications, where he served until his retirement in 2009.
Retired life did not slow Jim down at all, but gave him the much deserved time he needed to pursue his many passions. When he was not busy with family, church or enjoying the outdoors, he actively participated in conservation as a representative of the Shellfish Advisory Council (SHAC). He was also a well-respected founding member of the Frenchman Bay Regional Shellfish Conservation. In addition, he has forever left his footprint in Maine by donating Marlboro Beach as a wildlife conservation area.
Jim was well known for his fun-loving, endearing wisecracks that often gave people a smile or a laugh. He was also known for his hard working perseverance and his wisdom in many areas of life. He is especially remembered for his care for every person he would meet and his compassionate sacrifices of time or money to help anyone in need. Jim will be sadly missed by many, but his memory will live on in the big and little acts of kindness that we all remember him for.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Eleanor Norris Sr., his brothers, Kevin and Barry, and his son, James III. He is survived by his brothers Peter and Jeff; his wife, Cindy; his daughter, Jennifer, with her husband, Heap Him; his three sons, Brad, Brian with his wife, Marion, and Josh with his wife, Angela; and his daughter, Sarah, with her husband, Harold Whitmore. So far, Jim has 10 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
A short graveside service with the Navy honor guard will be held at the cemetery at Lamoine Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, followed by a celebration of Jim’s life at Family Bible Church on Route 3 across from Marden’s Department Store in Ellsworth at noon, followed by a time of sharing a meal of Jim’s favorite foods and stories of Jim’s life with an open microphone at 1 p.m. in the gym of Family Bible Church. The dress code is: no suits or black formal attire … please dress like Jim. If you knew Jim, you are welcome to bring some food that you think Jim would like and join us in celebrating his life. Condolences can be sent to Cindy Norris, c/o Family Bible Church, 460 High St., Ellsworth, ME 04605.