1940 – 2004

BILOXI, Miss. – Emile James “Jim” Hussiere, 64, of Brunswick Road, Richmond, and formerly of Poland Spring, died unexpectedly Tuesday, April 6, at Biloxi Regional Medical Center. He and his wife had been vacationing in Pensacola, Fla., at the time of his death. He completed a final series of chemotherapy in March and felt that he had his cancer under control.

“Jim” was born in Philipsburg, Pa., on Feb. 16, 1940, the son of James and Eva May Spencer. At the age of three, he was adopted by his grandparents, Emile and Eva Mae Hussiere. He graduated from Philipsburg High School and graduated from the aeronautics school in Pittsburgh.

In 1975, he received an associate degree in jazz performance from the University of Maine at Augusta. In 1976, he received a B.S. degree from the University of Maine at Farmington in Audio Visual and Music. He received his Masters Degree in Adult Education in 1978 from the University of Maine at Portland-Gorham.

He served in the U.S. armed forces for a total of almost 26 years. He served in the Navy for 11 1/2 years, first in the Navy band and later in Electronic Defense Communication Planning Group serving in Vietnam from 1969-1970, receiving the Bronze Star. He also served in the Maine Army National Guard as a percussionist for 14 years.

He was a member of the Poland Community Church where he was a deacon for several years. While in Poland Spring, he also served as a school board member for seven years, with four of those years as chairman. He also was a member of the Maine Jazz Alliance, the Academy of Model Aeronautics and a licensed private pilot.

He was employed by the State of Maine Department of Corrections as a systems analyst. He was previously employed as an instructor of computer technology by the University of Southern Maine’s Muskie School, and as a business and industry coordinator by Central Maine Technical College and as a media specialist at St. Mary’s Hospital.

In the 1960’s, he was a professional musician. He played in bands for Si Zentner, Ann Margaret, Ike & Tina Turner and the Glenn Miller Band. His performances with local bands included: the Al Corey Orchestra, Express Big Band, Phil Rich Big Band, Heart & Soul Quartet performing at Grazianos in Lisbon, and many more local groups.

Surviving is his wife of 35 years, June E. (Lessner) Hussiere of Richmond; two sons, James A. Hussiere of New Gloucester and Sheldon T. Hussiere of Richmond; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his adoptive parents; his birth mother in 1998; and two sisters, Goldie Freeland and Jeanne Woodside.