James Elliott Chalmers, 70, a longtime resident of Waterbury, passed away in the comfort of his home on Thursday, March 1, 2012. Born in Burlington on March 6, 1941, he was the youngest of four sons of the late Andrew and Oneida (Tassie) Chalmers. Growing up on Clymer Street, Jim attended Burlington High School where he played football before moving to Montpelier where he was a 1959 graduate of Montpelier High School and developed many close friendships. He continued his education at both Husson College and Montpelier City College, studying accounting.
Jim had a long and successful career in sales, working for the Burroughs Corp., Shepard Supply, Gallagher Lumber as well as Plant and Griffith Lumber Co. A car enthusiast, Jim was a salesman for Wheeler Chevrolet in Waterbury, owned and operated his own new and used auto sales business in Waterbury called J.C. Cars and Trucks, worked for Valley Motors in Bethel and then was employed in sales by the Overhead Door Co. of Williston from which he recently retired. Jim was a natural salesman and made many friends throughout his career. Most recently, Jim enjoyed making long-haul trips for Green Mountain Messenger as it satisfied his love of driving the open road.
Jim was an active member of his Waterbury community, serving on the select board, zoning board and planning commission and was a charter member and president of the Waterbury Jaycees where he coined the phrase that appears on town signage “Waterbury – Vermont’s Recreation Crossroads.” Jim also served as Waterbury’s representative and president for the Central Vermont State Police Community Advisory Board and was a member of the Sure Enough Investment Club.
In his leisure time, Jim enjoyed playing hearts and bidwist, camping in South Hero, co-chairing Thursday night safety meetings and Friday afternoon board meetings, watching NASCAR and attending races at Bristol, Charlotte, Daytona, Rockingham, Richmond and Loudon. He loved anything to do with cars and trucks – buying, selling, collecting and especially driving.
The most important part of Jim’s life was his family. He loved to talk about his pride in his children every chance he had. He and Suzie logged many miles to attend their sporting events, make college visits and, more recently, to visit them and their growing young families.
Jim is survived by his wife of 42 years, Suzie Chalmers of Waterbury; their children, Julie Famulari and her husband Robert Jr. and their daughter Sadie James of Stoughton, MA, Jason Chalmers and his wife Sarah Callahan and their children Roanha, Adelaide and Machlan James of Milton, MA; two brothers, Robert Chalmers and his wife Geraldine of South Hero and Stewart Chalmers and his wife Susan of South Hero; his in-laws, Judy Ather and her husband Bradley of Bloomfield Hills, MI, Sharon MacMahan and her husband Clarence of St. Johnsbury, Arthalee “Pete” Martin of Auburndale, FL, Ruth “Tunie” Sugg of Waterbury, Diane Stewart of Essex Jct. and Bernard Stewart of Bennington; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Jim was predeceased by a brother, Andrew J. Chalmers.
Services will be held from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury on a date and time to be announced. The family requests that flowers be omitted; rather memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Wesley United Methodist Church, Fuel Assistance Fund, P. O. Box 214, Waterbury, VT 05676, or to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (for Adult Patient Assistance) www.danafarber.org. To send online condolences please visit at www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
