James L. Jarvis

James Lawrence Jarvis Unity-James L. Jarvis, 78, of East Unity, died Tuesday August 14, 2007 after a valiant battle with lung cancer. He was predeceased by one son, Lawrence Andrew Jarvis, his father Robert James Jarvis, his mother Marie Louise Belliveau Jarvis, two sisters, Marie Lillian Mulvey and infant Jeanette Jarvis. He is survived by his wife Ethel Clough Jarvis; three daughters, Aprille Jarvis of Charlestown, Susan J. Hastings and husband Milton Hastings of Newport, Nancy Clairmont and husband Michael of Gilford; four grandchildren, Jeffrey Hastings and his wife Wendy of Tilton; Shannon Hastings-Smith and husband Michael of New York City, NY, Kyle Jarvis of Charlestown, and Hillary Clairmont of Gilford; two great grand children, Skye Hastings Smith and Jayden Jeffrey Hastings. Also, two sisters, Janet Bunnell of Clairmont and Irene Wright of Providence, RI; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. James was born on February 26, 1929, the son of Robert and Marie Jarvis. He resided in Providence, R.I., and attended LaSalle Academy until the age of sixteen when his family moved to Unity, N.H. He joined the army on October 5, 1946 at the end of WW II and the beginning of the Korean War. He served as a machine gunner with the 20th Infantry regiment in Korea. He was honorably discharged on March 5, 1948 and returned to Unity. He married Ethel Clough in 1949 and they were together for 58 wonderful years. He was employed by Joy Manufacturing Company for 33 years. James was a renaissance man in every sense of the word and had varied talents and passions. He was an accomplished artist using several mediums. He painted in oils and in the last several years discovered a strong talent for woodcarving. The walking sticks he carved for his grandchildren are objects of beauty as are the landscapes in base relief. The Hopi Indian religion was of great interest to him and he carved Kachina figures for his daughters. He attended carving classes in New London and not long there after, student became instructor. Gardening occupied his summers and he spent many hours tending his vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers. He was an avid reader and took great interest in world religions, philosophy, and the spirituality of the Native Americans as well as Buddhism. He loved music and singing and played the electric and acoustic guitars, piano, concertina, harmonica, and the spoons and was known, at times, to play a mean kazoo. Other hobbies included skiing, hiking, and bird watching. He had a great sense of humor and was making jokes until the day he died. As an employee at Joy Manufacturing Company, he served as Union Steward and time study man for the majority of those years. He was a champion for workers rights, civil liberties, and environmental causes. He was a member of the Unity Grange, the American Legion, and the Sullivan County Democrats. Above all, he was a family man and devoted his life to his wife and daughters. James was a strong swimmer, scuba, and skin diver and he and his family spent many happy times swimming and vacationing near the water on the coasts of Rhode Island and Cape Cod. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed. The family will be receiving family and friends at a “Celebration” of James L. Jarvis’ life on Sunday August 26, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Library Arts Center in Newport, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Claremont Soup Kitchen, PO Box 957, Claremont, N.H. 03743-0957. View his obituary at www.csnh.com for posting.