James Julian Rivers

Jim made his final trip to the golf course on August 29th, 2021.

The sixth of seven children, he was born February 21, 1937 to Michael “Frank” Rivers and Beatrice Leona (Pray) Rivers of Bangor, Maine. His enduring passion for sports was cultivated at Broadway Park with his childhood friends. At the age of twelve, Jimmy became known as “Ringo” for his uncanny impersonation of Gregory Peck’s quick-draw character Jimmy Ringo in The Gunfighter. He graduated from John Bapst High School in 1955 with varsity letters in baseball, basketball and track.

After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy as a Signalman, Third Class on the U.S.S Laffey, a destroyer known as “The Ship That Would Not Die.” During his three years of service, he travelled the world; experiences which he often spoke of fondly, and which inspired a persistent yearn to travel. He was a member of the Tin Can Sailors and the USS Laffey Association for the remainder of his life, contributing to the preservation of the USS Laffey DD724 Museum Ship in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Following his honorable discharge, Jim worked for several local accounting firms before joining the Maine Revenue Service. He retired in 1997 after 27 years as a District Tax Audit Manager.

Jim joined the Maine Senior Games at the age of 55, earning medals in basketball, softball, golf and horseshoes over a twelve-year period. Additionally, he was part of the first Maine team to participate in the Nationals in Baton Rouge in 1993. He was an avid member of the Riverside and Maine State Golf Associations from the 1980’s-2007, playing every day following his retirement. Until the very end, Jim preferred to walk the golf course. Of the 128 courses listed by the MSGA, he played 82.

Ringo loved to dance (and was great at it!), had a wonderful sense of humor, and dearly loved the beach. He was married to Margaret Mary Rivers with two children from 1960-1973 and later to Kathleen Garrigan Rivers from 1996-2011. He was part of many communities across the state during his lifetime, but ultimately settled in Old Orchard Beach. In his later years, he found peace in walking the beach, remarking that the sound of the waves reminded him of being rocked to sleep on the Laffey.

James was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Robert, Francis, and William, his sisters Phyliss and Rosemary, and his beloved dog Duchess. He is survived by his brother Richard “Dick” Rivers, daughter Diane Rivers-Hooke of Westbrook, son Sean E. Rivers of Readfield and grandchildren Kevin James Hooke, Haley Morgan Hooke, Nolan James Pease, Hayden James Rivers, and Carter Austin Rivers. As a grandfather, he was endearingly known as “Coach.”

Inexpressible love and thanks to neighbors turned friends Julie and Tony Murray who were vital in fulfilling his wish to remain home. Love also to Kathy, who remained a lifelong friend. Gracious thanks to all his caregivers, Beacon Home Hospice, and Gosnell Hospice House.