James G. Caldwell

Jim was born in Houston, TX on November 21,1956 to James and Nancy Caldwell. Because his father was in the Air Force, the family lived several places, including Nebraska, Alaska, and England. Jim was the 1975 Valedictorian of Lakenheath High School in England and went on to receive his BSEE from Cornell University in New York in 1979 where he was also president of his fraternity Alpha Tau Omega.

With college degree in hand, he started his Semiconductor career with Motorola Corporation in Tempe, AZ as a product engineer. After 5 years, he left to work at National Semiconductor, Salt Lake City, UT. Jim spent close to 25 years with National Semiconductor, coming to the South Portland plant in 1997. Over the course of his time at the company he held several positions in product engineering and quality management. The last 3 years Jim has been a self employed consultant with Expense Reduction Analysts, reducing costs of business operations, which he undoubtedly has said has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

Jim met his wife Sharon Leskanic in Salt Lake City, UT in 1986. Sharon was also employed with National Semiconductor, but Jim liked to tell the story of how he met Sharon in the apartment complex laundry room. Jim and Sharon married in 1990 on the last Sunday in April. They worked hard, moved a couple of times, and travelled extensively before starting a family. In 1997 their first daughter, Sarah, was born shortly after they arrived in Maine. Three years later in 2000, their daughter Kathryn was born. These girls were the lights of his life, and he very much enjoyed skiing, “stuck forever”, cards, cribbage, reading, and projects with them.

The true tests of Jim’s personal strength and positive attitude came with his wife’s cancer journey in 2010 and his 2012 diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Throughout his 16 month journey with ALS, Jim chose to smile and live his life to the fullest and did not let ALS define who he was. He loved us more every day. On September 7th, 2013, just one month ago, Jim was overwhelmed with joy as over 200 people from the community came together as Team Red Trekkers for the Walk to Defeat ALS. The Red Trekkers collectively raised over $23,000 for ALS research. Today, Jim leaves us with a legacy of lessons in niceness, selflessness, integrity, perseverance, strength, and courage.

Jim was an avid golfer, skier, hiker, and scuba diver before the effects of ALS. He so enjoyed annual golf trips with his father and brother, and his Florida lobster diving with friends. He had a passion for learning and always loved to teach his girls new skills. With Sharon he shared a great love and enjoyed travel, wine, and family time. Jim was a member of Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, the Falmouth Country Club, and a parishioner at the Parish of the Holy Eucharist at Holy Martyrs in Falmouth.

Jim is survived by his wife Sharon of 23 years, his daughters Sarah (16) and Kathryn (13), and his Wheaton terriers Keeley and Finnegan, by his parents Jim & Nancy Caldwell, brother Steve & wife Greta Caldwell, sister Barbara & husband Ken Stephens, brother Richard Caldwell, mother-in-law Agnes Leskanic, brother in law Bruce & wife Barbara Leskanic, and sister in law Tara & Bill Maw. Jim was an engaging, fun uncle to Madeleine Caldwell, Tyler & Corey Leskanic, Henry & Wills Maw, & Hunter Stephens. He is so missed, but family and friends vow to “Keep on Trekking” not in only in their lives but in the efforts to defeat ALS.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made, in Jim’s memory, to the Falmouth (or any) Food Pantry, Good Shepard Food Bank, or St Vincent Soup Kitchen. The family wishes to thank Jim’s Drs (Russell, Muscat, Stillson) for their care, the Famouth Police & EMT personnel, and the community for their prayers and encouragement.

Family and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation on Monday October 7, 2013 from 3-7 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday October 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Holy Martyr’s Church, 266 Foreside Rd, Falmouth. A reception will follow the Mass at the Falmouth Country Club, Winn Rd, Falmouth. Interment will be at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Yarmouth.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Jim’s online guestbook.