Salem: James H. Hudson, Sr., age 77 of Salem, died Sunday, November 9, 2008 at the NSMC / Salem Hospital following a long illness. He was the husband of M. Therese (Desjardins) Hudson, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Lynn, he was the son of the late David C., Sr. and Helen May (Grant) Hudson. He attended Lynn Public schools and also attended Wentworth Institute of Boston. A veteran of the Korean Conflict he served in Greenland when his National Guard Unit was called into active duty.
Jim began working as a carpenter and later worked for the Cressey Dockham Co. then located in Salem. In 1970 he formed his own general contracting business under the name of James H. Hudson and Son, which he and his son ran until his retirement in 1989.
Jim loved camping and R.Ving with his family and traveled extensively thoughout the continental USA and Canada, and was a member of the North Shore Clam Diggers. He was a man of many talents and interests, and was fond of long distance running, cross country skiing, bicyling, finish carpentry, oil painting, charcoal sketching, ball room dancing and square dancing.
A resident of Salem since 1958, he was very devoted to his family and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. Jim was an active volunteer for the Special Olympics and for the Shriners's Burn Center. He was also a member of Ste. Anne Parish and a former officer of the Holy Name Society both of Salem and was a member of the Daily Reflection Group of Marblehead.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, James H. Hudson, Jr. of Salem, 5 daughters, Denise L. McCoy and her husband Patrick S. of Nashua, NH, Ledia M. Mignault of Salem, Gisele A. Adams and her husband Stephen P. of Peabody, Therese M. Hudson-Jinks and her husband Patrick F. Jinks, Jr. of Salem, Michele M. O’Neil and her husband Michael J. of Peabody, 2 sisters, Gloria Wallace of Attleboro and Marianni Markey of Athol and Port Coral, FL.
He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, P.J. & Meagan Rose McCoy, Nicole & Billy Mignault, Ashley & Heather Adams, Kathryn, Kristin & Sarah Jinks, Corey, Laura & Kyle James O’Neil and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother David C. Hudson,Jr. and his sister, Florence Peachey.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St., [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at 9 am, followed by his funeral mass in Ste. Anne Church, Salem at 10 am. Visiting hours: Wednesday 4 to 8 pm. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. Mary of the Annunciation School, Danvers, MA, or Infant Jesus School, Nashua, NH or St. Joseph School, Salem, MA or to the Ste. Anne Holy Name Society, 290 Jefferson Ave., Salem, MA 01970. For guestbook and additional information please visit www.levesquefunerals.com