GORHAM – James Stewart Douglas, 100, passed away peacefully at Gorham House on Sunday, Jan. 22, following a brief illness.

In a lifetime that spanned the 20th century, he experienced the early days of automobiles, two world wars, the Great Depression, the Cold War, the space age and today’s technological revolution. But his greatest legacy was the genuine love and respect he inspired in all who knew him. This was earned through his deep personal faith, unfailing optimism and a personality that was equal parts gentle Irish wit and homespun Franklin County wisdom. Jim was blessed with a generous spirit and a firm belief in the fundamental goodness of every person he met.

He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Dec. 31, 1905. He was educated in the schools there and came to this country at age 21. He settled in Kingfield and married a schoolteacher, the former Alice Soule, in 1931. They lived in Salem for a time with their sons, Robert and Richard, before moving to Phillips in 1944. A true Maine woodsman before mechanization, he wielded a bucksaw and a birch hook to harvest lumber from his woodlots in Salem, twitching logs out in the winter with Bess and Lion, his beloved draft horses. He later worked for the State Highway Department, retiring in 1971.

He was a member of the Phillips United Methodist Church, past master of the Blue Mountain Masonic Lodge and Phillips Historical Society. In the 1950s, he served for three years as a selectman for the town of Phillips. He was an associate member of the Westbrook United Methodist Church, after moving to Gorham in 1997.

He had a lifelong love of gardening and outdoor life, successfully growing vegetables and flowers – including his favorite, roses – in the harsh climate of western Maine. He had a special affinity for the mountains that surrounded their home in Phillips, especially Mount Abram.

He is survived by his son, Robert and wife, Marion, of Westbrook; daughter-in-law, Geraldine Douglas, of Brewer; brother, Douglas Holloway and wife, Muriel, of Augusta; sisters, Ethel Hoppe, of Rockport and Pearl Pinkham, of Newcastle; seven grandchildren, Robert Douglas and wife, Barbara, of Gorham, Donnelly Douglas and wife, Abby, of Yarmouth, Stephen Douglas and wife, Louise, of Windham, Tamara Stolfi and husband, Bob, of Raymond, Matthew Douglas, of Falmouth, Lori Douglas Clark and husband, Ken, of Readfield and Richard Douglas and wife, Sheila, of Brewer; 15 great-grandchildren, Jamie, Ryan, Joshua, Amber, Kate, Emma, Madison, Logan, Brienn, Brady, Brooke and Craig Douglas and Sean, Emily and Elise Clark; great-great-grandson, Sage Douglas-Leahey; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

He was predeceased in 2002 by Alice, his loving wife of 71 years; son, Richard; sisters, Frances Brown and Kathleen Copp; and infant granddaughter, Kathleen Raye Douglas.

The family deeply appreciates the care and compassion shown to Jim by the exceptional staff of the Gorham House during his eight-year stay.