James P. Waitkus

So. Hadley, MA
James Peter Waitkus, 66, of 62 Washington Avenue, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, with his devoted wife by his side.

A native of Greenfield, MA, he was born on November 24, 1951. Jim attended Montague Public Schools and was a graduate of TFHS in the Class of 1969. Following his graduation, he worked for the Waitkus Brother’s Garage, which was formerly located on French King Highway, Greenfield, MA and was owned and operated by his father John and his Uncles Isadore and Francis. He furthered his education by attending Greenfield Community College, obtaining his Associate Degree in Liberal Arts (1971) and later the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, with a BA in Business Administration (1973).

He was drafted into the United States Army, during the Vietnam Conflict, entering on 2-28-1972 and served with the 335^th Infantry. He received the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal and returned home with the rank of SP5 on 8-27-1976. He remained in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged on 12-30-1992 with the rank of Captain.

Upon return to civilian life, he worked for the former Greenfield Tap & Die Corporation, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, the Franklin County Technical School and lastly, as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service in South Hadley, MA, retiring in 2015. Jim was a member or the Postal Workers Union, an active member of the Western Mass Bird Dog Club and a bird dog owner. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing (in particular trout fishing in the spring), hunting and who had a passion for military history.

He married the former Heasuk Kim, on March 16, 1985 in Colorado Springs, Co and they recently celebrated their 33^rd wedding anniversary last month. In addition to his beloved wife, he leaves his sons: James I. Waitkus and his fiancé Heather, of South Deerfield, MA; John J. Waitkus and his wife Jennifer, of Pittsboro, N.C. and Ian A. Nobles of Dallas Texas, as well his devoted grandchildren: Connor Waitkus, Nicholas and Jack Waitkus and Kenji and Joo-nee Nobles. Jim is also remembered with affection by his siblings: John Waitkus and his wife Laurie, of Eastham, MA and by his sister Kathleen Misra and her husband Gopabandu, of FL, as well as by his Uncle William Kavanaugh and his wife Barbelle of FL and several nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins. A special acknowledgement is extended to his life-long devoted friend and fellow Veteran, Hebert Voudren (USN) for his unwavering friendship, counsel and support.

Funeral services will be observed on Monday, April 9, 2018 from the McCarthy Funeral Homes, 14 Prospect Street, Turners Falls, MA at 10:00AM. Rev. Daniel Moon Ju Lee, Pastor of the Korean Zion Church of Amherst will officiate. Rites of committal and interment will follow in the Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery, Turners Falls, MA, with full military honors to be provided by the 54^th Massachusetts ANG in attendance. A reception will be announced at the conclusion of the committal services. Visiting hours will be conducted on Sunday, April 8, 2018 from the McCarthy Funeral Homes, Turners Falls, MA from 4:00PM until 7:00PM. Jim’s family respectfully requests that flowers be omitted, with expressions of affection preferred in the form of a charitable contribution in his memory to the Montague Veteran’s Memorial Fund, 1 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376.

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