James A. Lancaster, 70, of Dartmouth died Saturday October 6, 2007 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the husband of Elaine C. (Valsoano) Lancaster; they had been married for 40 years.
Born and raised in New Bedford, the son of the late Alban and Emma (Wroe) Lancaster, he was a longtime resident of Dartmouth and a communicant of St. Mary's Church.
Mr. Lancaster was a graduate of Coyle High School in Taunton and attended Boston University prior to becoming the Vice President of Marketing for Merchants National Bank. He later managed National Catalogue Showrooms and worked at Dartmouth High School for many years until his retirement in 2006. He was also an avid photographer focusing professionally with wedding and commercial venues and served as photographer for the Dartmouth District One Fire Department.
Mr. Lancaster was involved with many civic and athletic organizations in the Greater New Bedford area, including the Boys Club of New Bedford, Junior Achievement, the New Bedford Branch of the American Cancer Society, the Jimmy Fund, and Toys for Tots. He also organized and founded the senior citizen photo I.D. program in New Bedford. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps from 1959 - 1963.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, James M. Lancaster and his wife Kristen, and Timothy J. Lancaster and his wife Rebecca, all of Dartmouth; three grandchildren, Kyle James, Kathryn Elizabeth, and Jacob Benjamin Lancaster; a brother John F. Lancaster and his wife Jean of Houston, TX; and several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the South Coast Hospice staff and affiliates who gave their time and support during this difficult time.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday at 11:15 AM at St. Mary's Church, South Dartmouth. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the James A. Lancaster Scholarship Fund, c/o New Bedford Credit Union, 1150 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.