GORHAM – James Stewart Douglas, 100, passed away peacefully at Gorham House Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, 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 Jim Douglas’s 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. Jim was born Dec. 31, 1905, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He was educated in the schools there and came to this country at 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, Jim wielded a buck saw and a birch hook to harvest lumber from his wood lots 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 1950’s, 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. Jim 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. Jim was predeceased by his loving wife of 71 years, Alice in 2002; son, Richard; sisters, Frances Brown and Kathleen Copp; and infant granddaughter, Kathleen Raye Douglas. 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; and sisters, Ethel Hoppe of Rockport and Pearl Pinkham of Newcastle. He leaves 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; his 15 great-grandchildren are Jamie, Ryan, Joshua, Amber, Kate, Emma, Madison, Logan, Brienn, Brady, Brooke and Craig Douglas; Sean, Emily and Elise Clark; and great-great-grandson, Sage Douglas-Leahey. He leaves several nieces and nephews and many friends. The family deeply appreciates the care and compassion shown to Jim by the exceptional staff of the Gorham House during his eight year stay. A celebration of Jim’s life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Phillips United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Gary Akeley, officiating. A reception will follow at the Avon community building. Spring interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Phillips. Arrangements are under the direction of Dan & Scott Cremation and Funeral Service, Skowhegan. Those who wish to remember Jim in a special way, may make contributions to the Activities Fund at Gorham House, 50 New Portland Rd., Gorham, ME 04038.