James L. Sheelen, of North Weymouth, formerly of Verona and Plainfield, NJ, passed away peacefully at South Shore Hospital following a brief illness at the age of eighty. He is survived by his son Frank and daughter-in-law Jenn of Hingham.
Jim was the second of four sons born to Edith and Frank and grew up Plainfield, NJ. He is predeceased by his siblings Daniel, Thomas, and Robert. After serving in the Army Reserves and three years of technical schooling, Jim joined IBM where he spent his entire thirty year professional career. He spent the majority of those years as a Customer Engineer, out in the field repairing machinery and computers throughout NJ, and then the last several years managing the divisions he previously was a member of. After his professional retirement, Jim continued his passion of repairing things by being a local handyman. There wasn't a job he couldn't do or a tool he didn't have.
When not working, Jim's focus was on being the best Dad that he could be and enjoying the outdoors. Being a young, divorced father he made it a point to take Frank on many adventures and show him what was possible in the world. Jim was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed boating, fishing, hunting, camping, grilling and the like. He spent a lot of his free time at his 10 acre camp in Upstate NY. Several years ago Jim moved to MA to live out his years close to his son.
There will be no wake or funeral services at this time but future memorials in both MA and NJ are being planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the South Shore Elder Services, 350 Granite St, Suite 2303 Braintree, MA.