James Michael Vachon

Vachon, James M., 84, of Brewster, passed away on January 4, 2016. Jim was born in Holyoke, MA one of five children of Oswald and Mary (Cronin) Vachon. He graduated from Holyoke High School, intending to become a mining engineer. He worked in the Canadian Northwest 1st Territories for 7 months in the Giant Yellowknife Gold Mines. He then returned home to finish his education at Holyoke Community College.

Jim enlisted in the military and was with the 5th RCT Group 41st Tank Battalion in Korea. After he returned home he completed his education at Wentworth Institute with a degree in Architectural Engineering. For the next 10 years he worked for Daniel O’Connell & Sons, Holyoke, MA and ACMAT Corp. E. Hartford, CT.

He was hired by Kmart Corp., maintaining an office in Westfield, MA for several years overseeing new construction and refurbishing of Kmarts throughout New England. He was transferred to Corporate Offices of Kmart in Troy, MI and was promoted to General Manager of Construction throughout the United States and Europe.

Jim retired to his home on Cape Cod in 1992 and continued consulting for Kmart for 2 years, primarily in the Czech Republic. He became involved with the Town of Brewster and was on the Building Needs and Assessment Committee for many years serving as Chairman. He also served on the Capital Assessment Committee for several terms.

He continued to enjoy everything the Cape had to offer, fishing, lobstering and clamming. He belonged to the Cape Cod Mens Club and was a member of the Captains Golf Course. He especially enjoyed his Poker group.

Jim was previously married to Kathleen Maloney, with whom he had two sons, he remarried Joan (Lucas) Vachon. Besides his devoted wife, Joan, he leaves his sister, Mary O’Neill of Vero Beach, FL, sister Elaine Gilligan of Holyoke, MA. He also leaves his loving son Joseph Vachon and his wife Melissa of Holyoke, MA, granddaughter Jamie of Chicopee, and son Thomas of Boston. He also leaves many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Patrick, brother William, and sister Anne Moriarty. He was much loved by his family and friends and will truly be missed and remembered.

A Visiting Hour will be held at Doane, Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 Rt. 134, South Dennis, MA on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 from 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass in his honor at Our Lady of the Cape Church, 469 Stony Brook Rd., Brewster, MA at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at Brewster Memorial Cemetery, Brewster, MA at 2:00 PM. In Jim's memory, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Attn: Donation Processing, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.For online condolences, please visit www.doanebealames.com.