James Stephen Jordan, 84, of Woburn, quietly passed away June 2 at the Sawtelle Hospice House in Reading. Jim was born in Buffalo, New York on March 4, 1941 to Veronica Palladino of Revere.
By the age of two, Jim was orphaned. At the age of three he was baptized in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Staten Island, NY, made his first Holy Communion at the age of seven and was eventually transferred at the age of nine to the Catholic Home Bureau for foster care placement.
When Jim reached the age of 18, he enlisted in the US Coast Guard on Staten Island and found himself stationed in Jonesport, Maine. Jim earned the rank of E-3 Seaman and some of the best years of his life were during his USCG career enforcing maritime law, coastal defense, search and rescue and many other diverse roles up and down the coast of Maine.
After the USCG, Jim was hired by the Bridgeport, CT Post Office where he worked as a distribution clerk for 10 years before transferring to the US Postal Service in North Reading. Retiring after 33 years of dedicated service and an honorable career of service to the Government of the United States, Jim continued to travel.
Jim was an avid hiker, explorer, music lover of Classical and Jazz, a movie and history buff, geographer, amateur astronomer and loved to travel in what he described as the greatest country in the world. Jim visited every National Park in the lower 48 by automobile over his lifetime, hiked the Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia, the Long Trail in Vermont and would talk endlessly about the beauty of his adventures.
Jim attended all the annual Jazz Conventions from Ontario to Chicago to New Orleans to Kansas City. If you ever visited Jim he was very proud of his extensive and impressive book, CD and DVD collection lining his home walls from floor to ceiling. Somewhat of a loner, Jim never complained of being alone, he loved his solitude. A special thanks to Richard, friend and neighbor of Jim’s who lent Jim a helping hand and a ride when needed.
A celebration of Jim’s life was held privately in July where his wishes were granted and his ashes scattered on the coast of Maine in Jonesport. Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to Jonesport, ME Historical Society at 21 Sawyer Square, Jonesport, ME 04649, DarkSkyMaine.com or the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, kcjo.org