James F. Gentile of Lawrence died September 30, 2009, at the Fairhaven Health Care Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he moved to Lawrence for his first job with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at the Experiment Station. As a pilot in the Army Air Force during World War II he worked on the development of radio-controlled aircraft; a capability that evolved into the unmanned air vehicles of today. After the war, he married Clare A. Hogan and returned to work at DPH. In the early years of his career, he and Phil Johnston developed the Vision and Hearing Testing Program which is still conducted in the public schools. He later became an epidemiologist and administered the Tuberculosis Control Program, overseeing seven state hospitals. He retired in 1981 with 42 years of distinguished state service. In retirement, he participated in a number of volunteer activities, including Neighborhood Watch and repairing Talking Book Machines for the blind. Clare died in 1987. He is survived by his present wife Monica Fritschy Allen, and his children Ann, wife of D. James Schreck of Minnesota, Louise Gentile of Massachusetts and Robert Gentile of Maryland, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, Monica’s two daughters Debra, wife of Edward Gabriel, of New Hampshire and Pamela, wife of Robert Belanger, of Massachusetts, her four granddaughters, and two great granddaughters. Friends may call at St. Patrick’s Church, 118 South Broadway, Lawrence from 9:00 to 10:30 am on Monday, October 5, 2009. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to Fairhaven Health Care Center Pawtucketville Unit, 476 Varnum Road, Lowell MA, Glastonbury Abbey, 16 Hull St., Hingham, MA 02043, or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. For online condolences and other information please go to www.breenfuneralhome.com