James P. Willett

James Patrick Willett, aged 58, passed away on October 3rd, 2025. Born on January 29, 1967, he grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, before moving to New Hampshire to create a home that will continue to be cherished by his family for years to come. James led a life dedicated to his friends, his work, and to building a brighter future for his family.

Karen and Jimmy met in 1987 when they were both in high school. In 1994 they moved to New Hampshire, a place they had come to love while dating. Jimmy proposed to Karen at the gazebo on Alton Bay, and they married in 1997. Together they created a life and home in New Hampshire and would go on to raise their two children, Colin and Makenzie. The move proved to be the right step, and New Hampshire provided a beautiful state to grow up in. As a family, they would often adventure through the woods surrounding their home in Brookfield, attend their children’s sporting events, bike rail trails, and go apple picking and on “pumpkin runs”. Later they would explore Portland, Maine where Makenzie attended college and Boston where Colin lives and works. Together the family enjoyed traveling to places like the Grand Canyon, Florida, and Jimmy’s favorite spot, Marconi Beach in Cape Cod. Jimmy was an excellent cook, and would often deliver leftovers or special orders of apple pie, cheesecake, chicken cordon bleu and stuffed grape leaves to his friends and family.

Jimmy had an exceptional ability to generate camaraderie everywhere he went. Friends who stood by him from childhood to his final moments, coworkers who would learn and rave about his reliability and selflessness, and the additional family gained with his marriage to Karen. All these people became his brothers, and he treated them as if they were. Whether it was a phone call through the night, an extra shift or lended aid, or a drive from multiple states away, Jim’s compassionate hand was unconditional and always a phone call away.

Jimmy led a life of hard work, and throughout most of the 31 years in New Hampshire he worked in road construction and paving. Jimmy was a fast learner and hard worker. He quickly rose to the foreman role and became an essential part of the success for both F.R. Carroll and Lakes Region Paving. The work Jim did was laborious and strenuous, continuing to be so as he started his new job driving for UPS. He sacrificed his body and time to build a future for his family. In that, he was entirely successful, the upbringing that he and Karen were able to provide, and the home they built, will continue to be a blessing and sanctuary for years to come.

James is survived by his loving wife Karen, their children Colin and Makenzie, and his cats Sparky and Ginger. In addition he is survived by his mother-in-law Marian Crombie, in-laws Craig, Sara, Scott, and Maria Crombie, as well as his siblings Richard, Terry, Mary, and Ellen. Furthermore, his memory is carried on by the countless friends, peers, and strangers that he made an impact on with his life. He is pre-deceased by his parents Joseph Willett and Nancy Lehane, and his father-in-law Alan Crombie.

A celebration of life will be held November 3rd, 2025 from 5-8pm at The Inn on Main in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the National Eagle Center. Donations can be made at https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/donate/

or by mailing a check to the following address:

National Eagle Center

50 Pembroke Ave S

Wabasha, MN 55981