James W. Howard

James W. Howard, 79, of Sanford, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 26, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

James was born on December 1, 1946, to Shirley and Elizabeth (MacCuish) Howard in Chelsea, Massachusetts, where he grew up and attended local schools. As a teenager, he fondly recalled spending his summers working on farms in Vermont, experiences that instilled in him a lifelong love of the country and rural life.

Following his education, James proudly served in the United States Navy.

He met the love of his life, Sandra, and after a short courtship they married, sharing 53 devoted years together. In 1976, the couple moved to Maine, where they raised their three children.

James attended Boston University, graduating with honors. He was employed for many years at Sprague Electric as the Quality Control Manager before retiring. Never one to slow down, he later worked at FMI in Biddeford, retiring once again, and then served as a consultant for NASA for a time.

James was intelligent and quietly introverted, but deeply devoted to his family and always willing to do anything for them. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren, especially trips to fairs and leisurely rides through the countryside. In earlier years, he enjoyed playing broomball at the Brothers in Alfred. He also loved traveling with his wife, exploring destinations throughout the United States and even visiting Paris together.

He was predeceased by his wife Sandra, his twin infant daughters, Elaine and Laura; and his sister, Donna-Lee Aufiero.

James is survived by his daughters, Lee-Ann Gagnon (Steve Baltzley) of Acton and Patricia-Lee Osborne (Kurt) of Connecticut; his son, James Howard Jr. (Jennifer King) of Sanford; his grandchildren, Samantha Gagnon (Ajay Levesque) of Union, NH, Miranda Baltzley of Parsonsfield, Hunter Baltzley (Kaitlyn Dion) of Limington, Haley Hartnett (Nick Toby) of Sanford, Ashley Hartnett (Robby Dobson) of Sanford, Kelsey Howard of Sanford, Alex Howard of Sanford, and Shaun Osborne of Connecticut; his great-grandchildren, McKenna, Brooklynn, Westin Micah, Everleigh, Amirah, Charlotte and Maverick along with many extended family members.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale, Maine.