James Allen Cleaves

WEST GARDINER – James Allen Cleaves, 84, of West Gardiner, Maine, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on August 17, 2024. Born in Rockport, Mass., he was the son of the late Ezra and Mary (Somers) Cleaves. He was married to the late Nancy (Morse) Cleaves for 57 loving years.

Jim was a proud graduate of Rockport High School, Class of 1957. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy at the young age of 17. Upon his honorable discharge, he joined State Street Bank, where he rose to the position of Vice President of Operations, retiring after 41 years of dedicated service.

In 1962, on St. Patrick’s Day, Jim met the love of his life, Nancy Morse, in Boston. They married in 1965, settled in Beverly, and raised their three daughters together.

Jim and Nancy enjoyed traveling to various destinations during their marriage, including Bermuda, Mexico, and the Caribbean, often accompanied by family and friends during the winter months. In the summer, the family could be found enjoying West Beach and Lake Cobbosseecontee in Maine. Upon retirement, Jim and Nancy built a year-round home at their “happy place” on the lake, fondly named “Camp Qwitchurbitchin.” While they cherished their time at the lake house, they equally loved spending winters on Marco Island, Fla., where they forged lifelong friendships.

Jim was blessed with a keen sense of humor, quick wit, and an endless supply of timely one-liners. He loved enjoying a cold drink, winning trivia games, telling stories, watching sports, and laughing with family and friends. As the original “girl dad” before the term even existed, he coached every sport his daughters and their friends participated in, relishing every moment, even when it resembled scenes from the Bad News Bears.

As Jim’s family grew, so did his heart. He was blessed with seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, and he delighted in hearing about their activities, accomplishments, and talking sports with them. Affectionately known as “Papa,” he will be sorely missed.

Jim is survived by his three daughters, Debra DeGrenier and her husband Daniel of Beverly, Mass., Julie Ford and her husband Malcolm of Milton, NH, and Joanne Niehoff of Port Washington, Wis. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Alexandra Costin and her husband Patrick of Lebanon, Maine, Cassandra Ford of Portsmouth, NH, Bailey and Shelby DeGrenier of Beverly, Mass., and Dylan, Cameron, and Brody Niehoff of Port Washington, Wis.; along with his great-grandchildren, Kaden and Carsyn Costin of Lebanon, Maine; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth Scatterday and his brother Charlie Cleaves.

Jim’s graveside funeral service will be held at North Beverly Cemetery, 685 Cabot Street, Beverly on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at http://www.campbellfuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made in Jim’s name to:

Friends of the Cobbossee Watershed

P.O. Box 206

East Winthrop, ME 043043 or online at http://www.watershedfriends.com.