James A. Wallius, 71, of Rockport, MA passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 15, 2018 in Tampa, Florida while on vacation. He was born in Rockport, MA on June 18, 1946, son of the late Arvo and Viano (Salo) Wallius. He was a graduate of Rockport High, Class of 1964and later attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and North Shore Community College.
He grew up in Lanesville and hung around with the likes of Zeke, Parrot, Lark, Maki, Eboy, Buck, Robertson, Jacobson, Burton, Prybot, Duck, Duff and Geo. He served in the United States Army from 1966- 1969. He was assigned to the White House Communications Agency and was stationed at Camp David during the end of the Johnson and the beginning of the Nixon Administrations.
He did presidential trips to Rome, London and Jakarta, VP trips to Canton, Columbus and Ocean City, family member trip to London and candidate trips to several U.S. cites. He worked at various electronics companies around the North Shore, the Town of Rockport and retired from the Defense Contracts Management Agency. Jim pursed many interests over the years.
He was a train fan and rider (rode most of Amtrak, via rail in Canada, Swiss Rail and Australian rail) coached youth softball and hockey, played cribbage locally and in national tournaments, watched birds, was an avid fisherman, enjoyed nature and people, enjoyed walking, and was a candlepin bowler, a fan of the CAWSL Steelers, had an interest in computers and enjoyed traveling. Jim had visited every state in the Union, owned a car that had been to 49 states, all the provinces of Canada, each state and territory of Australia, 6 continents and did an around journey. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his sister, Joyce McGrath and her husband Walter of Gloucester; nieces and nephews, Deborah Foster and her husband George of VT, Timothy McGrath and his with Faye of NC, Kathleen Gething and her husband Curtis of Gloucester, William H. Wallius Jr. and his wife Donna and JoAnn Wallius all of CA; sister-in-law, Catherine Wallius of Gloucester; an uncle by marriage, Kenny Ekborg of Gloucester and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, close friends and classmates. He was predeceased by his brother, William H. Wallius Sr. His Funeral Service will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on Thursday, May 24, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. A visitation will be held prior to the service in the funeral home on Thursday from 10 – 11 a.m. The burial will be held privately.
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