WESTON: James Churchill Stoddard, 83, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday. January 3, 2015 at Emerson Hospital following a period of declining health.
He was born in Boston on July 15, 1931 the son of the late James Levitt Stoddard and Louise Fay (Churchill) Stoddard.
James is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years Miriam L. (Wood) Stoddard of Weston formerly of Wayland. Beloved father of Christopher S. Stoddard and his wife Anita Stoddard of Bloomfield, MI and Rebecca L. Stoddard Salko and her fiancé Kevin Smith of Larchmont, NY. Cherished grandfather of Miranda S. Stoddard, DVM of Canton, MI; William A. Stoddard and his fiancé Jessica Hoh both of Cincinnati, OH; Lauren K. Salko of Manchester, NH and Michael Salko of Larchmont, NY. Also survived by two sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law and several nieces and nephews.
James spent his formative years in Belmont and resided in Wayland for over 32 years before moving to Weston 26 years ago. He graduated from Belmont High School and received his BS and Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from MIT in Boston. He served in the ROTC program while at MIT and served his country proudly as a First LT in the United States Army Signal Corps from 1953 until 1957. For over 30 years he was the Senior Research Engineer beginning with Sylvania and then continued with GTE until his retirement at the age of 65. He loved to spend time traveling with his wife and they traveled throughout the country and the world. He was one of the original founders of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Wayland and was active on several committees as well as one of the organizers of the spring fair especially overseeing the annual auction for 13 years. He also served on the Vestry committee of the church and was a member of the Assorted Spirits Mens Club. James also spent many hours with his friends as a member of the Retired Mens Club and enjoyed their luncheon get togethers. He also spent many years as a member of the Association of GTE Retirees. During his earlier years he spent summers with his family at Dunstable. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Private family interment was held at the Stoddard family lot in Linwood Cemetery in Weston.
A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Sunday. January 11, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the First Parish in Weston349 Boston Post Rd, Weston Center.
In lieu of flowers, his family kindly requests that memorial donations in James memory be sent to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St, Framingham, MA 01701.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home. For online condolences please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.