James P.D. Waters, age 81, of Newton Centre, MA, passed away on Jan 8, 2009, leaving a legacy as a kind, generous, compassionate, and gentle man. He leaves his widow of 58 years. He and his wife, Jean T. (McIsaac) Waters began sharing their lives after meeting at Newton High School some 65 years ago.
A lifelong resident of Newton, Jim graduated from Newton High School in 1945. From there, he attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and went on to graduate from Boston College in 1951. While at BC, he served as Editor and Chief of the continuing newspaper, The Heights. After two years of active duty during the Korean War as a Navy Lieutenant on Board the USS Columbus (CA-74), he returned to Newton and graduated from BC Law School in 1958. He joined his father, the late James A. Waters, in his law practice. Their firm, Waters and Waters, began in Newton centre in 1908 and continued until Jim’s retirement in 2004. For many years, he also taught as an instructor of law at BC.
Jim Waters was a member of the City of Newton Election Commission for some forty years, serving as its Chairman for several years until his retirement. He was a lifelong and active member of the Sacred Heart Parish in Newton Centre. Jim was also a former president of the Oak Hill Park Association. Jim served as the President of the Mass Bay Council of the Navy League. For many years, he served as a good will ambassador and navy League liaison to service men and women visiting the port of Boston. He was also President and founder of the Massachusetts Association of Bank Counsel and served the Massachusetts bar and Real Estate Bar Association as a legislative lobbyist. He authored several bills which became statute in Massachusetts, relation to real estate and elder law. He was delegate for the Massachusetts Bar Association and a Massachusetts Bar Foundation fellow.
Jim was also an avid golfer, having once held the left handed record at Charles River Country Club and several courses in New England. He was most proud of having played first place for the baseball teams of Newton High, Mass Maritime and BC. He fondly recalled his tryout with the Boston Braves. Jim was also known for his philatelic interests, having displayed his collections at area Museums. He was considered an expert in his knowledge of Naval philatelics and was also gifted in his knowledge of horticulture and local political history. In his spare time, he enjoyed summers with his family in Kennebunkport.
Besides his wife, Jean, James P.D. Waters leaves behind his three daughters and their families, including Patricia J. Ellis and her husband Nathan of Newton, Jacqueline A. Waters Adams and her husband Paul J. of Natick and Elizabeth E. Jones of Newton. His grandchildren Nathan, Kathryn and Elizabeth Ellis, Julianne and James Adams and Meredith Jones. Jim also leaves his brother in law James F. McIsaac of Worcester. He was the son of the late James A and Rose M. Waters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Mon Jan 12 at 10 AM in Sacred Heart Church Newton Centre. Interment will follow with Military Honors at Newton Cemetery. Visiting hours will be in the Eaton & Mackay Funeral Home 465 Centre St. Newton Corner on Sunday from 3-7 PM.
Donations in Jimmie’s name may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders 311 Arsenal St. Watertown MA 02472 or Sacred Heart Church 1231 Centre St. Newton MA 02459.