James C. Piver, age 84, of South Yarmouth, formerly of Brockton, died peacefully in his home on Friday, April 30, after a lengthy struggle with kidney disease. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra (Johnson) Piver after 63 years of a loving relationship.
Jim was a graduate of Brockton High School, class of 1954, after which he joined the US Army and received his training in Texas as a combat medic. While in training he was sent to the Nevada Desert as a member of a team to witness the first above ground detonation of the atomic bomb – a memorable experience in his life. He received an Honorable discharge from the Army in August of 1956.
Jim and Sandra were married in June of 1958 and brought up their two sons, David and Anthony in Brockton. They moved to South Yarmouth when Jim retired after being employed for more than 50 years in the food industry, serving as a salesman for various companies and later as Senior Vice President of a large New England food brokerage. During his professional career he served on the boards of various food organizations and also served on boards of charities that helped children in need. During these years in the food business he and Sandra enjoyed traveling the United States (including Hawaii,) the Caribbean Islands, many countries in Europe and to China.
In 1983 the family moved to South Yarmouth were he enjoyed playing golf, and working part-time at the local Stop and Shop. He also enjoyed helping his wife around the house and in the garden - and entertaining relatives and friends for whom he loved cooking. It was also the joy of his life and Sandra’s to travel with their closest friends, Carol and Ed Williams, for many years and having them visit on Cape Cod as overnight guests.
Jim is survived by two sons and their fiancé’s: David and Christine DiFrancesco and Anthony and Susan Sergio. He was the grandfather of Nicholas, Jamie, Emily and Sydney. He was predeceased in death by his mother, Rose (Poliseno) Piver and father, James E. Piver, sister Janet (Piver) Gladue and brother-in-law Peter Kent. He will be missed by his sisters, Rosemarie (Piver) Kent and Diana Piver and brother, John and his wife Rosalie and brothers-in law, William Gladue and Richard Greenburg; also Ruth Chobit and her husband Edward. He was Godfather of Lisa Gladue Gavigan, Jeffrey Piver, Edward Williams, Tracey (Kent) Acord and Catyn Piver and many loved cousins.
Visitation will be held at the Conley Funeral Home, 138 Belmont Street (Rte 123) Brockton, Thursday, May 6, from 10am-12pm, followed by a Funeral Service at 12pm. James will be cremated and after the death of his life-long partner and wife Sandra, they will be buried together at the Massachusetts National Cemetery. Masks and social distancing are to be observed in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 209 W Central Street, Natick, MA 01760.