James M. Ball

James M. Ball, Sr., passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2011, following a brief period of cancer surrounded by his loving family. His gifts of faith, humor and generosity of spirit will forever linger in the halls of Portland Public Schools and in the hearts of those he loved. Jimmy was born on February 19, 1936, in Portland, Maine, the son of Ira and Gladys Ball. His parents instilled a strong work ethic, the love of family and service to others that Jimmy carried with him his entire life. Growing up the youngest of three, Jimmy knew the freedom of exploring all that is Portland – from hopping the train, to slipping into the bakery for a quick treat, to playing every sport in every park dawn to dusk. But at the end of the day he knew to come home by a certain hour: it was family. His paper route as a youngster began his entrepreneurial spirit and gave him a window into the lives of others. And as that young spirit grew, Jimmy never forgot the underdog, the person with less.

A graduate of Portland High School in 1954 and Gorham State Teacher’s College in 1958, Jimmy began working at North School in Portland in 1959. Fifty-two years later, his service to Portland Schools continued until his passing Sunday morning. He is predeceased by his first wife Mary Jane Hayley, who died of breast cancer in 1980 and his brother, Ira, in 2003. He had three children with his first wife, Mary Jane, James (Jay) Ball, Jr., Susan Ball and Michael Ball, each who share their father’s work ethic, integrity and love of life. Michael’s two children Ryan and Haley are etched in his heart and brought him the joy of his purpose as “Papa.”

Jimmy’s professional career included serving as Teacher at Presumpscot Elementary School, Principal at the Cummings School, and teacher and Athletic Director at Lyman Moore Middle School where he worked through this year. He believed in straight talk, telling the truth and not complaining – unless it was direct and right to the point. Continuing his own education and professional development, in 1968, he received his Masters Degree in Administration. In 1971, Portland Schools asked him to be the Director of a new Family Living Sex Education Program and he helped set the stage for what was later to become a nationally recognized sex and pregnancy prevention program.

His commitment to service of others was demonstrated in his anonymous generosity to others, his philanthropy to helping those in need. He was a member of the Elks Club, the Italian Heritage Center, the Maine Teacher’s Association and the National Education Association.

In Portland schools his generosity knew no bounds and was matched only by his humility to be the anonymous, private benefactor of so many who do not know to this day what he had given. Perhaps it was his leadership as a young adult serving as class vice president – perhaps it was his instinctive knowledge that education is the real freedom, Jimmy worked tirelessly to connect young people to their school. He knew the integral role of sports in the healthy lives of young people and the value of sports to connect children academically and socially to their school. He served as coach of the Police Athletic League, softball and baseball coach at the Portland Recreation League and Athletic director.

In 1990, Jimmy married Kathleen Bucci who remains in his heart today, after 21 years of marriage. Jimmy and Kathleen brought two beautiful sons into this world, Matthew,19, and Patrick, 15, who continue with the Ball Family legacy of service to others, with a heavy dollop of humor, humility and grace. Indeed it is Jimmy’s faith that sustained him through his losses in life and is his ultimate gift to his children and grandchildren, packaged in humor and bound with indelible love –to be found as if on a treasure hunt in the most unexpected places.

Not many people are lucky enough to have experienced and loved not just one, but two strong families woven together. Jimmy loved this gift in his life to its fullest and always saw blessings where others saw strife. He loved and doted on his wife, Kathleen, often joking to others that he did everything for her, from ironing her clothes every morning to her iced-coffee after school. His love lingers in their home and it has an unshakable foundation that Kathleen and the children will be able to lean on whenever they need. Living the heredity of their father’s humor even this day, the children hope he finally now has relief from aching knees when it rains!

In addition to his wife and his children, Jimmy is survived by his sister, Jane Ball Patterson and her three children, Carol, Mark and his wife Donna and their family and Matthew. He is also survived by his very special son-in-law Robert Quattrucci and many nieces and nephews. He will be forever remembered and loved by his family.

He was “Papa” to the children with special gifts and challenges at Lyman Moore, where he often started or ended his day – breathing in humanity’s heart and soul – and still giving of himself to others under the umbrella of a school.

Goodbye, Dad, Papa, Honey, you have hit this one out of the park and we love you for it.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of Visitation Wednesday July 6, 2011 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Prayers will be recited Thursday, July 7, 2011 at 10:15 a.m. at the funeral home to be followed by an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St Patrick’s Church 1342 Congress St. Portland. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, South Portland.

In lieu of flowers the family has established the James Ball Scholarship fund in care of Lucille Feeney, Lyman Moore Middle School-

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Jimmy’s guestbook.