James Earls Stockwell

 Lunenburg:  James Earls Stockwell, age 87, of Lunenburg MA, passed away peacefully from a long illness on Sunday, April 14. James was born in Fitchburg, MA on November 18, 1936, the son of the late Phillip and Esther Stockwell.

James was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

Jim is survived by his wife,Shirley Esther Heinold with whom they recently celebrated 66 years of marriage.

He is survived by his son Richard Stockwell, and his wife Susan Stockwell, of Lunenburg, and daughter, Diana Dyke and his beloved deceased son-in-law David Dyke of Ashburnham, his son David Stockwell, and his wife Kim Stockwell, of Lunenburg, MA, and son James J. Stockwell of Lunenburg; six grandchildren Nicolas, Keith, Benjamin, Nicole, Mathew, David, Hannah, and Jake;eightgreat grandchildren, Jonas, Aubrey, Amelia,Joshua James, Emery, Jackson, Jasmin, Callan; sister Cynthia of South Carolina; and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. 

He was predeceased by his brother Robert Stockwell  and sisters, Patricia Strickland and Phyllis Hautenan.

Jim grew up in Leominster, MA working on the farm with his family, Phillip (father), Esther (mother), Robert, Phyllis, Cynthia (Wilson), and Patricia (Strickland). He married Shirley at 21 years of age and continued living in the Stockwell home for a short time. He went to work for an apple farm called Hawbuck Orchards in Ayer, MA running speed sprayers and driving tractor trailers as needed to various offsite locations. It was there that he made close friends with the Doe family.

Jim continued working at Hawbuck Orchards until he was around the age of 35 when he started working for the former Boston Gas (now National Grid)as a meter reader. It was a dangerous job avoiding protective dogs and not getting bit. Jim had great skills operating machinery and driving whatever needed to be driven in tight places. It was these skills that earned him a position excavating and repairing gas lines for National Grid. He worked many long and cold winters on call for gas leaks. He was always a hard worker and as dependable as anyone could be. He was able to take an early retirement at 62. He enjoyed 25 years of retirement with his wife and family until his passing at the age of 87.

Family was always paramount to Jim, and we call the land around his house the Stockwell Home with his three son’s Richard, David, and James living nearby. Jim was always looking to lend a hand or whatever you needed. He always put family first, everything else, second.

Jim loved spending time with his wife, kids, and grandchildren.  He loved golfing with his family and friends, he enjoyed walking every day and chatting with the neighbors, he loved bowling and tinkering in his yard. He had a great collection of ball caps from all over the country all hung in this work shed. He crafted a fine collection of walking sticks.

He enjoyed going on cross country bus tours with his wife Shirley and traveling to places like Nova Scotia and Canada. Jim and Shirley spent many winters in Osprey, Florida where they had a winter home and made many new great friends and wonderful memoires. 

So we celebrate his life knowing that he is now home with the Lord.

At the request of his family all services and burial will be private. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Rd. , Waltham, MA 02452

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