Falmouth - James Arthur Wescott, known to most as Jim, Jimmy or Big Jim, passed away peacefully at his Falmouth home Sunday morning. Jim died surrounded by his family and friends after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.
Born in Bangor, Maine, Jim grew up in Falmouth with his parents Florence and Arthur Wescott and three sisters Stephanie Wescott Yates, Debbie Wescott (David) Jaques and Susan Wescott Payson. All still living and by his side at the time of passing.
Jim was a true Mainer with the accent to prove it. Some of his fondest childhood memories were spent playing baseball where he built lasting friendships. Before his passing, he set up a fund to support improvements for the Falmouth Little League Fields.
Jim’s dad Arthur was a founding member of Viking Village at Sunday River where Jim became an avid skier. His family likes to joke he was the inventor of extreme skiing long before the x-games and others caught on. His love for skiing brought him to Montana where he spent two winters working, living and skiing daily at Big Mountain (now called Whitefish Mountain Resort). Here again he built lifelong friendships with endless stories to tell.
After his time out west, Jim returned to Maine to marry his high school sweetheart and love of his life Diana Horne Wescott. The two were married August 23, 1980 and have been married for 38 years and together for over 40 years. Jim is survived by his wife and their three sons Adam (Los Angeles, CA), Nicholas (Falmouth, ME) and Zachary (Los Angeles, CA). Together the family skied at Sunday River, golfed, took road trips and had countless cookouts and lobster bakes. Nicholas and wife Ashley Vlahakos Wescott have four children Aubrianna, Mason, Wyatt and Skylar. Jimmy was happiest being a grandfather and his grandchildren provided him with endless love, entertainment and fun. He will be greatly missed by his in-laws Phoebe and David Horne of Windham and sister-in-laws Laura (Christopher) Ballard and Stacey (Frederick) Casale and their families. Jim was predeceased by his nephew Jason A Yates and leaves behind niece Vanessa Yates Jensen, Heather and Christopher Jaques, Maxwell and Abigail Payson.
If there’s one thing Jim instilled into his family and those around him, it was the value of a dollar and hard work. As a born entrepreneur, Jim built up a commercial painting business in Southern Maine and then became a successful real estate owner and developer with his partner and brother-in-law Michael Payson. Jim’s son Adam is now a successful entrepreneur himself and son Nicholas has worked with Jim for the last 13 years. He was endlessly proud of his youngest son Zachary’s creative abilities. Jim would leave the house at 5AM and not return until after a 12-hour day of building and maintaining the properties. Even at age 60, you could find Jim fitting units and painting out rooms himself.
When he wasn’t in paint clothes, Jim could be found on the golf course. He was a longtime member of Falmouth Country Club where he won the Senior Club Championship in 2011. Outside of Maine, Jim was lucky enough to play some of the top golf courses in the U.S. including National Golf Links of America, Pine Valley Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, and Bandon Dunes. Jim and Diana celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary at Whistling Straights in Kohler, WI (where they played just days after the 2015 PGA Championships).
Jim was also a member of Portland Country Club which he truly enjoyed. In 2016, Jim won the Senior Club Championship at PCC. He also helped bring home several Maine State Team Championships. Over the years, he won many couples tournaments with his wife at both FCC and PCC. A month before his passing he shot even par at Riverwood Golf Club in Port Charlotte, Florida where he was also a member. He died a 6 handicap. Golf with his wife, sons and friends was his passion and, ultimately, playing golf was the reward for all his hard work.
James Arthur Wescott was a friend to everyone he met. He still has his best friends from age 4, thirty years at FCC, and more recently from PCC and Riverwood not to mention hundreds of friends and peers from the construction and real estate community of Maine. He was extraordinarily handy and used those skills to help countless people. He was generous, humble and lived life to the fullest.
A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and teams at National Institute of Health in Bethesda, MD and University of Chicago Medical Center in Hyde Park, IL as well as New England Cancer Specialists and Florida Cancer Specialists.
The family will be hosting calling hours at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home on Friday, May 11th 4-7PM 199 Woodford St, Portland ME 207-775-3763. A memorial service will be celebrated at Falmouth Congregational Church at 2PM Saturday, May 12th with a Celebration of Life to immediately follow. All are welcome and included.
In lieu of flowers, please mail donations to the Falmouth Little League (18 Rockaway Road Falmouth, ME 04105) or to the charity of your choice.
You may share your condolences or stories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
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