JAMES CHARLES PEABODY, HOULTON and EAST GRAND LAKE – James Charles Peabody, of Houlton and East Grand Lake, died on Thursday, November 16, 2017, at Houlton Regional Hospital. He was born on October 2, 1939, in Houlton, son of Woodrow W. and Ruth Brown Peabody.
As a curious young boy, Jimmy loved to be in the machine shop watching and learning about machinery and engines of all types. He had a genuine talent for understanding how things worked. Jimmy graduated from Houlton High School in 1957 and MCI in 1958. He attended University of Maine and graduated from Ricker College with a bachelor’s degree in business.
He joined the family farming business and later, co-owned Peabody International and Pebco. He was gifted with an ability to fix anything mechanical. While many knew he ran the company and farmed, few knew that he had other “companies” as well. To name a few, Arc and Spark Electric, Plunger Plumbing, Slim Pickins Lumberyard, the biggest being Next Week Construction. He built a home, several camps, two barns, and did countless renovations, several still need the last nail to be pounded!
He married Mary Donald in 1965. Together, they built a home and had two daughters. As a family, they enjoyed many fun times at East Grand Lake, Haynesville camp, up on “B” and at the farm at Cary’s Mills. His most favorite place was Cedar Point, on East Grand. He loved spending time with his chainsaw, backhoe, bulldozer and tractor at any and all of the above locations.
Jimmy was a man of few words, unless it was a political issue in Houlton, Orient, Hammond, or the Cedar Point Road Association. He served on the Houlton Town Council from 1986 to 1991. He always had suggestions on how to save money!
He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters, Lauren and husband, Chris Fitzpatrick, and Janel and husband, Stephen Nelson; four grandchildren, Kelsey and James Fitzpatrick, Elias and Ian Nelson; two brothers, Ronald Peabody and his wife, Jodi; and David Peabody; a long-time friend and “brother,” Robert Somerville; several nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Ted Sussman, Dr. Hassan Abouleish and the entire staff at Houlton Regional Hospital for their kindness and care.
Visitation was held at Dunn Funeral Home from 2-3 p.m. on Sunday, November 19, followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Wayne Robertson officiating. A reception will follow at Linneus Sno Sports Club. A private interment will follow at a later date. Those who wish to remember Jimmy may make gifts payable to Life Flight of Maine, Health Services Foundation, or a charity of choice in c/o Dunn Funeral Home, 11 Park St., Houlton, ME 04730. Online condolences may be expressed on the Life Tribute Wall at: dunnfuneral.com
