BREWER – James W. Warren, 66, died Jan. 2, 2010, in Bangor. He was born March 31, 1943, in Salem, Mass., the son of Gardner H. and Dorothy C. Warren. Jim graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1962 and attended Husson College, Bangor. He knew cars, boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles inside and out with an uncanny mechanical ability to diagnose an automotive problem just by listening to it run! Jim was a passionate advocate of small business and owned and operated service stations in both Florida and Colorado while in his 20s. He moved to Maine and established The Jim Warren Co., Brewer, in the 1970s, selling and servicing motorcycles and snowmobiles. Jim’s enthusiasm and personal appeal enabled him to sell sleds in the summer and bikes in the winter when no one else could! He was well known for the bumper stickers Jim Warren Co. distributed every autumn in Brewer imploring “Think SNOW Now!” How fitting it was that he passed away in a snowstorm here in Bangor. Throughout the years, Jim worked at Darlings Recreational, Bangor; Mack Trucks, Bangor; and Southworth Milton, Brewer. He achieved his lifelong dream of owning a Chevy dealership forming Lincoln Chevrolet six years ago. He later sold it anticipating a slowdown. Recently he was a regional manager for Bravo Brands and at the time of his death was working with his brother, Roy, to build Attitude Drinks, Inc. Many people knew Jim as the ever positive and happy guy who enjoyed lots of great toys. Most recently, locals saw him around town smiling and driving his pride and joy, his bright orange Ford Street Rod that he built from scratch with only his hands. Jim had a surreal grasp of all things mechanical and he loved nothing more than sharing his “dos and don’ts” about safety, maintenance and performance to everyone he knew. He would be there at the drop of a hat when asked for help of any kind. We all relied on Jim. In the unlikely event that you haven’t been touched by Jim’s advice, here’s a classic for you, “Check your oil once a week before you warm up the engine.” Jim is survived by his life companion, Nancy Babb of Brewer; his mother, Dorothy Warren; sister, Beverly Mansell of Bangor; a brother, Roy Warren Sr. and his wife, Martha P. Warren, of North Palm Beach, Fla.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins in Maine, Florida and Colorado. He was predeceased by his father; and his brother-in-law, Tom Mansell. He will be missed by his many friends, especially Arthur, Craig, George, Jim and Mike. Jim would want to thank Dr. John Vanadia for the special care he gave him and his family recognizes St. Joseph Hospital Oncology Infusion Group and the nursing staff at Bangor Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility for their sincere concern and wonderful care. The family is planning a celebration of his life this spring with a committal service in Enfield at the family cemetery. Please contact the family for details on this service. If you wish, donations may be sent in Jim’s memory to St. Joseph Hospital Infusion Clinic, care of St. Joseph Healthcare, P.O. Box 1638, Bangor, ME. Arrangements by Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 69 State St., Brewer. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
JAMES W. WARREN
