Obituary for James Patrick Scanlon James Patrick Scanlon, formerly of Bedford, NH, passed away on November 18th in Fort Collins, CO surrounded by his family. Jim was born May 10, 1938 to James and Ann Greiling Scanlon in Queens, NY. After graduating Fairfield University in 1959, he joined the National Guard as a commissioned officer.
He began his industrious career as a high school teacher of english. He then moved into sales, first in publishing for Harper and Rowe and Holt-Reinhart and Winston and later for software firms – Control Data and Intergraph, eventually directing all US sales territories. He met Judy Davis, his loving wife of 49 years, at his first publishing job.
They married in 1969 and moved to Brooklyn Heights and later to Ridgewood, NJ where they raised their three daughters. Jim was an avid athlete – regularly playing basketball and tennis until ailing health intervened. He taught his daughters to ski, to play softball and tennis, and coached their sports’ teams.
He was a prolific reader and self-taught handyman and wood-worker, long before the internet made DIY universally available and popular. He took great interest and pride in his family, and in their extended families. He held counsel with friends, colleagues, and family members often, encouraging, advising, nudging, to self-actualization.
Jim fully believed in the will to overcome adversity, but he also championed those whose circumstances prevented it. It was in Bedford, NH where he and Judy settled in 2002, that Jim would find his greatest vocation. After short stays in Huntsville, AL and Syracuse, NY, Jim and Judy made Bedford home.
He served on the Town Council from 2010-2016, finishing out his term there as Chairman. He was a thoughtful deliberator and eloquent diplomat when the occasion allowed for it. Conversely, he could punctuate any conversation with a needle-like quip.
He rallied for community programs like Meals on Wheels and veterans’ programs, opioid intervention and education, and ardently for the town dog park. Despite different health issues, Jim remained committed to his service on the council, even early in his term when complications caused him to lose his vision. He listened to speeches and reports multiple times to commit facts and figures to memory.
He relished being a public servant and was always grateful for the faith entrusted him. After a lifetime on the east coast, Jim and Judy relocated to Colorado in 2016 to spend more time with their two daughters and their families. Jim is survived by his wife Judy Scanlon, his three daughters – Lisa and husband Greg, Jen and husband Mark, Christine, his adoring sister Sheila and brother John, and grandkids Andrew, Ben, Alexa and Catherine.
He is predeceased by his brother-in-law Bill and his grandson Henry. The loss is immense but his memory will endure forever in our hearts. sites.
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