JAMES N. CUMMINGS

NORTHPORT – James N. Cummings, 71, who as a young man participated in the design and construction of landing gear for the first lunar module, died Friday, July 28, 2006, surrounded by his family, at home after a brief illness. In addition to working on the lunar module, Cummings would also participate in the early development of solar batteries. It was the beginning of a varied and interesting work life. A 1953 graduate of Everett High School, Everett, Mass., Cummings attended Tufts University and then served two years active duty in the U.S. Army as a SP-4. After his discharge, he graduated the General Electric Apprentice Program and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He worked at General Electric, George T. Main Engineering and Whitley Hydraulics where he participated in the lunar module project. Possessed of an entrepreneurial spirit, he moved his family to Belfast in 1972, to own and operate the Bayside general store that became a much-visited Route 1 attraction. After selling the store, Cummings became a nuclear radiation technician for the U.S. Navy, inspecting nuclear reactors on submarines at the Portsmouth, N.H., naval. When that facility closed, he returned to Northport, successfully running for town clerk. He revolutionized the town’s record keeping by introducing a computer based records management system that would save the town thousands of dollars in lost revenue. Twice re-elected town clerk, he and his faithful black lab companion, “Indy,” would become for many the warm welcoming image of Northport. In addition to serving as town clerk, Cummings was a treasurer for the Northport Volunteer Fire Department and the local Knights of Columbus. He and his wife Marjorie, who died unexpectedly June 28, 2005, also raised dogs for the guiding eyes program. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl and her children, Briana and her son, Jackson, Taylor, Jenny and Wilder; son, Michael and wife, Roxanne and their children, Brittney, Makayla, Madison and Breann; son, Stephen and wife, Pam and their children, Stephen Jr., Jade and Joey; a sister, Mary (Cummings) Ristino and husband, Robert; and nieces, Laurie and Gaelin Ristino. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 4, at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church, Court Street, Belfast. Memorial donations may be made to The Guiding Eyes for the Blind Canine Development Center, 361 Route 164, Patterson, NY 12563 or Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County, P.O. Box 407, Belfast, ME 04915.