James Patrick Jalbert

Our father, James Patrick Jalbert, went to the other side on December 22, 2020 at 100 yrs old. James was a loving husband to Doretta (Teddy). One of his most often shared memories was of falling in love with the most beautiful woman he had ever met. That woman was to be his most beloved and caring wife for 72 years.

James was born in Fort Kent, Maine, on September 11, 1920, the son of the late Willard and Marie Jalbert. After graduating from high school, James volunteered for the service and became a WWII B-24 bomber pilot in the

Southwest Pacific and flew 58 combat missions. He was awarded five Air Medals, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two Bronze Stars, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with nine Battle Stars, and a Letter of Commendation. James was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Fort Kent, Maine.

After the service, he enrolled at the University of Maine and graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Phi Eta Kappa fraternity.

While at the University of Maine, he lettered in indoor and outdoor track. After graduation he moved to Virginia and worked at Virginia Electric and Power Company (Dominion Energy) for 35 years where he enjoyed mentoring new engineers.

He was a scoutmaster in Fort Kent, ME, Charlottesville, VA, and Fredericksburg, VA. He organized the Monticello Coin Club in Charlottesville, VA, and was a charter member of the Fredericksburg Little Theater Group. He was a Tuckahoe Little League Commissioner for nine years. He was a member of St Bridget Church where he taught in the School of Religion for eight years.

He took up ski racing in his fifties and went on to become a national competitor in National Standard Racing (NASTAR). He received the best male racer award several times in the Subaru Alpine Ski Clubs Championships and Winter Carnival Races. He has won over 200 NASTAR gold medals and many other trophies in ski racing. He has won awards in Senior Swimming competitions and took up golf at age 69. One of his greatest pleasures was arranging activities for neighborhood children who ventured into the yard and as time went on James enjoyed seeing and greatly appreciated what those neighborhood “children” did for him and Teddy in return. He got great pleasure taking the neighborhood children sledding, skating, to ballgames, and teaching them how to ski. James aimed for fun; in the service, at work, and at play.

Upon retiring from Virginia Power, James and his wife Teddy built a camp on Eagle Lake in northern Maine. They enjoyed many summers there with their children and grandchildren. If we fail to mention how much soil he hauled into his gardens and how much he tended and improved that rocky Maine soil we would be leaving out a big part of our father’s life. His whole life he loved flowers, hardly ever cut, mostly growing on their stems outside his window and along the roadside in Maine.

James’s grandson, Carter Lewis, his siblings Willard Jalbert, Jr, Robert Jalbert, Jean Jalbert, and Kathryn Greenspon predeceased him.

James leaves behind, his wife Doretta (Teddy), daughter Claire Lewis (Steve), son Paul Jalbert (Emily), daughter Meme Bullard (Ted), daughter Cathy Patton (Daniel), daughter Julie Oley (Anthony), all of Richmond. James is also survived by 13 devoted grandchildren and 23 adorable great-grandchildren.

James was the benefit of compassionate loving care from Asha, Carolyn, Catrice, Cindy, Jan, Jodie, Lena, Linda, and Will.

That’s 100 years well lived!

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the:

Lonesome Pine Trails Ski Area

Attn: Mike Voisine

PO BOX 372

Fort Kent, Maine. 04743

An outreach program providing an opportunity for children to enjoy skiing.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.