James “Ernie” Clair Sr., 80, of Marshfield, who was the founder and CEO of Clair Motors in West Roxbury, died Sat Dec 11, 2004 at his home in Marshfield.
Born in PEI, Canada Ernie grew up in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School and attended Burdette Business School. He worked for and later purchased Thompson Buick in West Roxbury during the 1950’s and opened Clair Buick in 1964, which now has 16 franchises and was one of the first dealerships importing foreign automobiles.
Ernie served in the U.S. Army during WW II earning the rank of Corporal and received the Italian Cross of War from the Italian government. He was later appointed a Brigadier General in the Massachusetts State Guard. He also served as Captain Commanding of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Co. of Massachusetts in 1970-71 and is the Senior Past Commander. He was a member of the Needham Golf Club, the Portland Country Club, the Highland Country Club and the Biddeford Country Club.
He is survived by his wife Brenda (Waring) Clair, his five children James E. Clair Jr. and his wife Claire of Dover, Mary T. Clair of Weymouth, Joseph P. Clair and his wife Laurie of Medfield, Mark J. Clair and his wife Jane of Dover, and Michael S. Clair and his wife of Cornelia of Biddeford ME and his step daughter Holly Barisano and her husband Jeffrey of Scituate. He is also survived by his former wife Theresa Clair of Weston, his sister Mabel Bower of Phoenix AZ and his brother Reginald Clair of Brooksfield FL. In addition he is survived by his twelve grandchildren and his nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends will gather at the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave. Needham on Wed Dec 15 at 9 AM and proceed to a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph Church Needham at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Newton Cemetery. Visiting hours will be in the funeral home on Tues from 4-8 PM.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Boston Rescue Mission P.O. Box 120069, Boston, MA 02112-0069.