BAR HARBOR – James “Jim” M. Crockett, 53, husband of Joy Camire Marshall Crockett, lost his valiant battle with cancer May 10, 2012. Jim was born March 23, 1959, in Bar Harbor, son of Leslie Crockett and Myrle Norwood Crockett.
Jim, a 1977 graduate of Mount Desert Island High School, worked a significant part of his adult life for the Rockefeller family until a back injury forced him into early retirement. Jim’s work for the Rockefeller family was part of a long family relationship with the Rockefellers. In 2007, when Jim married Joy, the love of his life, David Rockefeller provided the newlyweds with one of his family’s “cottages” for their honeymoon. Although cancer cut Jim’s life much too short, since his 2010 diagnosis he still was able to share many special milestones with his family. On March 2, 2011, he had the privilege of witnessing his daughter, Kayla Ann Crockett, give birth to his first grandchild, Tyler James “TJ” Crockett, and the next year was able to help celebrate TJ’s first birthday. In May 2011 he proudly watched Joy receive her degree in mental health and human services. In June 2011 he beamed with pride again while attending an open house for the second of four assisted living homes being designed and decorated by his son, Shaun M. Crockett. And on April 19, 2012, he helped celebrate his parents’ 60th wedding anniversary. Family was important to Jim. He was happy doing about anything as long as he was doing it with Joy. He lived next door to his parents and helped them in every way he could. He watched with pride as Kayla worked to learn about being a new mother. He loved spending time with TJ as he went from an infant to a curious toddler in what seemed like the blink of an eye. One of Jim and Joy’s favorite activities was traveling in their RV and meeting up with family and friends at campgrounds throughout the state. Less than three months ago he shared a special father and son time as Shaun treated him to an amazing road trip that included a Broadway play, visits to Times Square, Paul Junior Designs and the U.S. Submarine Museum, and gambling at Mohegan Sun.
In addition to his wife, children and parents, Jim is survived by brothers, Wayne of Houston and David and his partner, Muriel, of Prospect; uncle, Lloyd Norwood and his wife, Judy, of Northeast Harbor; aunts, Janett Muise and husband, Sherwood, of Otter Creek and Maybelle Montgomery and husband, Monty, of Tullahoma, Tenn.; stepchildren, Elyssa Hackett and husband, Steve, of Mechanic Falls and Ryan Marshall and wife, Sandra, of Lewiston; stepgrandchildren, Liam and Alexis Marshall and Gavin Hackett; special friends, Howard Small of Bangor and Chelsea Savoy of Bar Harbor; and numerous cousins and countless friends. In addition, Jim is survived and will be greatly missed by his constant companion and cuddle buddy, his dog, Little Bear.
At Jim’s request, there will be no funeral, but rather a memorial and celebration of his life will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 16, at First Baptist Church of Bar Harbor, 46 Ledgelawn Ave., Bar Harbor. Jim wished to be cremated. Interment, at a later date, will be private, with family only. In lieu of flowers, donations to assist the family in paying uninsured medical bills may be made to the James M. Crockett Assistance Fund, care of Machias Savings Bank, 96 Cottage St., Bar Harbor, ME 04609.