James C Boselli

Skip was born on February 28, 1944 to Chester “Joe” Boselli and Germaine Michaud in Manchester, NH. The only child of a French Canadian and Italian immigrant, he took great pride in his heritage and ultimately made several trips to his father’s birthplace in Italy.

He grew up on the East Side of Manchester and attended Bishop Bradley High School. As an adult, he enjoyed driving through town with family to reminisce about his childhood homes and young adult hangouts. He was a self-proclaimed “wild child” and force of nature through his twenties. In 1966 he graduated from St. Anselm College. He took his first tech job with IBM, then left to run his father’s business, C.J. Boselli Fixture Manufacturing. The company produced cabinets and displays that were seen throughout many classic buildings in Manchester. Skip admired his father’s craftsmanship and pursued woodworking as a hobby throughout his life.

In 1977, Skip returned to the computer industry and worked for years in sales and marketing, including 15 years at Digital Equipment. Late in his career, he enjoyed teaching business classes at Hesser College, also mentoring young entrepreneurs through the SCORE program.

He had a lifelong passion for boating, and loved to share tales from the Bay of Fundy, the Mississippi River, and the Northwest Passage. After years on Lake Winnipesaukee, he retired on the coast of Maine where he enjoyed quiet lunches by the ocean. He participated in the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and also taught NH Boating and US Power Squadron courses. His claim to fame was that he never sold a boat for less than he bought it for, which speaks to both his success and intelligence.

Skip loved travel, classic cars, live hockey, and finding the best hot dogs in town. He loved music and knew the lyrics of most any song written in the 60’s and 70’s. He was incredibly charismatic and engaging, and the liveliest story-teller. He was a true friend, deeply appreciative of the banter and loyalty of his inner circle.

More than anything, Skip was a devoted father. He always reiterated that his greatest achievement was raising two happy and successful adults, and that the biggest joy of his life was watching the close relationship that his children have with one another. He lit up at the sight of his grandchildren. He celebrated his family’s achievements with sincere pride, and became an all-star fan of his grandchildren’s sporting events.

He is survived by his daughter Karen Boselli and her husband Ryan Sylvester, his son Steven Boselli and his wife Morgan Boselli, and his four grandchildren, Luke, Lila, Jackson, and Ethan. He will be buried next to his father in Southborough, MA in a private family ceremony, and a Celebration of Life is planned for April.