PENOBSCOT
James Theodore Climo Sr., 74, died Monday, July 31, 2017, at his home in Penobscot after a courageous fight with cancer. Jim was born on Oct. 18, 1942, in Wakefield, Mass., the son of William and Eleanor Climo.
Jim was an independent, free-thinker who was deeply involved in the AA community. He was often known to be cantankerous when it came to politics and the establishment. The FBI can now stop monitoring his phone and Facebook. He coached many a stranger and friend to take “one day at a time.”
He was an avid sailor throughout his life. He began sailing and racing sailboats with his older brother, Billy, as a teenager throughout Boston Harbor. He introduced his wife of 26 years, Elaine, to sailing, first on Inshallah, a 29-foot sloop, and later on Colancer, a 50-foot Ketch. He sailed the Colancer to Florida single-handed. With his wife, they sailed off New England, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
He could easily sketch anything at any time on any material. He painted ocean scenes with lighthouses, vases of flowers for his wife, and drew many an illustration of water scenes on the back of Unitarian Universalist Congregation Sunday programs. He was known for “recycling” all things metal and reinventing possibilities. His motto was “You are only limited by your imagination.” His family and friends will always remember him as a creative, challenging and deeply loving person.
Jim is survived by his wife, Elaine Gerard-Climo; sons James T. Climo Jr. of Houston, Dana L. Climo and his wife, Kay, of Houston, and Bryan K. Taylor; brother Donald Climo and his stepdaughters, Sheena E. Whittaker and her husband, Richard, of Penobscot; Sherri L. Whittaker of Honolulu, and Lisa L. Haynsworth and her husband, Scott, of Atlanta; and his grandchildren, Julia N. Climo (his text-mate), Taylor S. Climo, Reagan K. Climo, and William G. Climo, all of Houston, Texas, and his step-grandchildren, Cole and Emma Larson-Whittaker of Penobscot, Lance Tauvela of San Diego, and Spencer and Morgan Haynsworth of Atlanta. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his son, Scot Michael Climo, of Houston, Texas and one brother, William Climo.
Jim traveled extensively as a truck driver. He worked as a supervisor in an American plant in Mexico for many years, worked in construction in the greater Boston area and various positions in welding, painting, and carpentry. As a young man he was the caretaker at a Catholic retirement home for nuns, which left him with many favorable memories.
His memorial service is scheduled for Thursday on the 3rd of August, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Castine at 4 p.m. with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jim’s life. The family would like to thank Beacon Hospice for their compassionate care. Memorial contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to: The Ark Animal Shelter, 60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
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