SEARSPORT – James “Jim” Engstrom passed away March 11, 2011, at his home as a result of recent health problems. Jim was born March 14, 1924, in the farmhouse next door to his current home on Porter Street.
Jim grew up there on Porter Street and frequently talked about his experiences as a child, particularly about some of the woodland “critters” he would befriend along the way, with a skunk being one of his favorites. Jim said his mother would always gently convince him that the animals belonged in the wild and he would dutifully release them. This was how he remembered his mother and referred to her many times as a wonderful person. This was Jim’s persona. He rarely spoke an unkind word about anyone. He was loved by all and outconversed by no one. Jim had a real fondness for family and friends and enjoyed their company. Years ago, he would load up the back of his truck with kids, family and friends for a trip to Sears Island for a swim. Also popular were Jim’s tractor rides to the beaver dam. His enjoyment of family and friends became more important to him, especially in the latter years when the affects of aging started to slow him down. He really appreciated those he worked with, especially those at A.J. Cole and Sons, now Freightliner of Maine, many of whom still work there. During the years many of those friendships were forged though his working at garages in Searsport, the fertilizer plant at Sandy Point and at the docks during World War II. Jim really loved the woods and was a successful deer hunter. One of Jim’s favorite activities was cutting his firewood and working with his homemade tractor. The tractor and other innovative contraptions like his famous “Armored Jeep” – aka “Roadrunner,” “Whomobile” and “Chinese Wrecker” – became common place sights in the neighborhood and he was known as a pack rat for bringing home scraps of steel and aluminum. He was known to turn those scraps into all sorts of functional items such as stoves, vehicles and even buildings. Jim’s civic activities involved serving on the Clam Committee and occasionally giving talks at Searsport Historical Society meetings which were drawn from his knowledge of local history. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and had a knack for public speaking using his wry humor. Jim really enjoyed camping and the occasional airplane ride. He loved taking the camper to campgrounds around the state with his wife of 68 years, Marguerite, and later was joined by their daughter, Darlene, and son-in-law, Don, with their camper. Visiting the International Seaplane Fly-In in Greenville was one of his favorite destinations. Jim would frequently accompany another son-in-law, Jeremy, in his airplane for a ride over Moosehead Lake, and would hop in anyone’s airplane for a ride whenever he could. But through all his experiences in life, what he really appreciated and enjoyed was family. He loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was known for his video taping Marguerite and his adventures with family. Many of the hours of video he would send to James “Junior” Engstrom and his wife, Elsbeth, in Germany. Jim really had a fondness and close relationship with his nephew and neighbor, Ted Engstrom, who was always there to help him in his latter years. Son-in-law Wayne was always right there when Jimmy needed him too. In the last year, Jim and Marguerite were saddened by the passing of their beloved Pekinese dog, Peggy.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marguerite; son, James Engstrom Jr. and his wife, Elsbeth, of Kitzingen, Germany; daughters, Patricia Schaffer and her husband, Dennis, of Biddeford, Diane Leavitt and her husband, Wayne, of Searsport, Darlene Herrick and her husband, Donald, of Stockton Springs and Sheila Williams and her husband, Jeremy, of Hampden; 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Jessie Gray, Elmer Engstrom and Edith Spillman; and his nephew, Larry Engstrom.
Jim’s wishes were not to have a funeral or service. He will, however, be memorialized 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at the home of Jeremy and Sheila Williams, 1334 Carmel Road North, Hampden. Family and friends are invited to come and celebrate Jim’s life and perhaps share a few stories about Jim. The gathering will be held in the airplane hangar on the property and will be informal. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Searsport Historical Society, P.O. Box 28, Searsport, ME 04974. Arrangements are under the direction of Young Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Searsport.