RANGELEY – James Spunt, 78, died Wednesday, March 11, at his home in Rangeley. He was born in Brookline, Mass., July 8, 1930, a son of William and Elizabeth (Gordon) Spunt.

He attended Tufts University and owned and operated Pilgrim Furniture Manufacturing Co. in Hyde Park, Mass.

While living in Brookline, he was a devoted uncle and spent much of his free time with his nieces and nephews.

In addition, he traveled to the waters off the coast of Massachusetts to fish and to the Rangeley Lakes area as often as possible to participate in outdoor activities.

Jim was an extraordinary outdoorsman and was a pioneer in the early days of snowmobiling.

His remote weekend home, on the shore of Little Kennebago Lake, was his pride and joy.

He permanently settled in Rangeley in 1977, where he befriended many longtime residents, many of whom became close friends. He will be missed by all.

He is survived by a sister-in-law, Jeanne Spunt; nieces and nephews, Deborah, Jon and Gordon Saperia, and Debra and Eric Spunt; as well as by family of his late wife, Florence (Grant) Spunt, including Louise (Grant) Doak, Bonnie Grant-Berry, Jean Grant, Herschel Dolbier and George Grant and his wife, Marguerite.

Besides his wife, Jim was predeceased by a brother, Norman Spunt; and a sister, Dorothy (Spunt) Saperia.