James Francis Baptista will be remembered most for his quick wit, humor, always plotting his next joke, and his love of a good story to tell for he had many. He was a great and loving friend to all, an extraordinary person who left a lasting impression on all he met. He died on December 22, 2007 at MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham Union Hospital at the age of 88. The cause was colon cancer. He led a remarkable and valiant battle against the disease for almost 4 years. He held the job of assistant deputy harbor master & shellfish officer for the Town of Wareham for over 45 years. He continued to work in that position even after his diagnosis at age 84 until the age of 87, and he never missed a day of work while under going many rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. His fellow officers called him invincible.
He was the devoted and loving husband of Evelyn Shirley (Collins) for 57 years,
a lifelong resident of 18 Hope St., Taunton and a parishioner of St. Mary’s Church. James was a summer resident of Swifts’ Beach, Wareham, MA for the past 57 years and he was the son and only child of the late Joseph P. and Cora A. (Daley).
He leaves his two daughters Deborah A. Moore of Holliston, MA, her husband, John D. and his grandson & “buddy” John J., his daughter Karen A. Baptista and her daughter Lauren, “the apple of his eye”, of Dover, MA. He is also survived by Louise Collins a sister-in-law and Robert Collins, a brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
He attended Coyle High School and graduated from Taunton High School, Class of 1938. James played baseball and basketball while in high school. He proudly served his country as a Private First Class in the Army during WWII and was a past commander of the VFW along with his father (the only father & son to hold that position in Taunton). He marched in the Drum & Bugle Corp along with his wife Shirley who was a majorette.
He loved to shellfish at Swifts’ Beach and always loved a good clam boil with his wife, family, and friends at his summer home. He was one of the few remaining members of the Bania Calda Club of Taunton. He loved all sports. This past spring he was a special guest of honor of the CEO of MetroWest Medical Center, Andrei Soran, at a Doctor’s Day event at the Crown Plaza in Natick where he met Doug Flutie, fulfilling a dream. He was Doug Flutie’s most loyal fan from his BC days to the present.
He was a solderer, manufacturing sprinkler heads for fire suppression for Hodgman Manufacturing Company and later a foreman following in his father’s footsteps. He then worked for Fernandes Supermarkets at the headquarters in Norton. He also was a Commissioner on the City of Taunton Alcoholic Beverage Commission for many years. He was a Judge for the State at the Raynham and Dighton Race Tracks and later tended bar at both. James also worked in the food service program for the Taunton Public School system. He was always working several jobs.
He was very active in politics and one of the most proudest moments of his life was when he was asked to drive the then Sen. John F. Kennedy, running for president, in his Cadillac convertible campaigning in Taunton. Most recently he was very proud to serve as his grandson’s sponsor as his grandson received his Confirmation.
His grandson wrote about him, “My grandfather is a good sponsor because he has high spirits all the time, in sickness or health. He is very optimistic and inspiring. He never loses hope, which is the greatest inspiration.”
Visiting hours are Friday, Dec. 28, from 5 to 8 PM at O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home, 70 Washington St., Taunton, MA 02780. A funeral will be held from the O’Keefe-Wade Funeral Home at 8 AM, Saturday, Dec. 29 followed by a funeral mass at 9 AM at St. Mary’s Church, corner of Broadway & Washington Sts., Taunton, MA. Expressions of sympathy maybe made to the Cancer Care Center, MetroWest Medical Center, 115 Lincoln St., Framingham, MA 01702-9167, attention the James F. Baptista Memorial Fund.