EDWIN CHARLES JAMES

SHOREHAM — Edwin Charles James, 88, of Shoreham, Vt., passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2024, surrounded by his loving family and friends. The son of Edwin T. and Marcella, he was born in Middlebury, Vt., on Sept. 24, 1935.

In 1937 his family moved from Weybridge to the family farm in Shoreham. He was a graduate of Shoreham High School and East Coast Aerotech. He then joined the Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He returned home to marry his beloved wife MaryJane Swinton on Aug. 27,1961, and lived the rest of his life with her and his son in Shoreham. He milked cows on his farm for 30 years and then worked at Shelburne Airport for 10 years as a mechanic on planes.

Ed was a private pilot and co-owned his own plane with his beloved brother-in-law Nelson and loved to take family and friends for rides. He also traveled to Lithuania with his airplane buddies. Ed enjoyed vacationing in Maine with his wife and son every summer. He was a lifetime member of Shoreham Congregational Church, where he sang in the church choir as well as the Gospel Choir. For many years he was the clock winder for the town clock in Shoreham as well as a selectman, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the board for Tri-town water.

Ed used his dad’s sawmill and operated it for many years to do his woodworking projects. He made numerous pieces and gave them away lovingly. Ed had a love for music, singing and was a friend to all, including all animals as well. Dad also loved to read and write; as he wrote many letters, poems and published several books. He had an amazing sense of humor and always had a joke to share. Dad always had Oreos on hand as he said he never had a bad one! He said it was easy to make friends if you shared Oreos with everyone.

If everyone had a dad like Ed, the world would be a much better place. He was kind, gentle, patient and welcoming to everyone he met.

Ed leaves behind his loving wife, MaryJane; son Edwin S. and wife Stacy of Shoreham; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brother, Dan and wife Ginny of Wisconsin; sister Sandra Adams and partner Joy Livingston of Hinesburg, and sister Jenny Purinton of Utah; many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his cats, Marmalade and Dewey.

A special thank you to his church family, neighbors Chuck and Karen Herrmann and Art and Charlene Remnick, Shoreham First Response and the amazing staff at Porter Medical.

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, May 4, at 11 a.m., at Shoreham Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: Homeword Bound, Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman Street, Middlebury, VT 05753, or Shoreham Congregational Church, P.O. Box 177, Shoreham, VT. 05770.◊