James W. Wilson

Falmouth-James William Wilson, 89, passed peacefully Sunday, November 14, 2010 at Foreside Harbor, Falmouth Foreside. Jim was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania on August 30, 1921, the son of James and Isabella Alice Webb Wilson.

When “Jim Bill” was fourteen, the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he graduated from City College with his high school diploma. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, stationed for a time in Bar Harbor, Maine where he met his future mate, Marcella V. Davis while traveling on a train. Both Jim and Marcella were traveling to “break” engagements and it was love at first sight! The couple was married at Marcella’s home on Dublin Street in Machias on January 9, 1946. Jim continued his duties as a naval corpsman in Norfolk, Virginia and Marcella taught school. Later the couple moved back to Jim’s home in Baltimore where he enrolled in a program to train television technicians. He was hired at WMAR-TV Channel 2 Baltimore, the 8th television station established in the nation. He televised many high profile events including the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, sitting next to Haile Selassie I, President of Ethiopia at the time. In 1958 he was privileged to televise the National Football League Championship Game between the New York Giants and the Baltimore Colts, considered by many to be the greatest football game ever played. He televised all of the Baltimore Colts and Baltimore Orioles (including World Series) games during his years at WMAR, building many friendships along the way.

After his retirement from WMAR, in 1984, Jim remained with the Orioles for a few more years.

In the 1960’s, the Wilsons purchased an old inn at Martin’s Point in Friendship, where many coastal Maine summers were enjoyed. He loved the state of Maine, especially Downeast Maine and Marcella’s Machias home.

After retirement, the Wilsons moved to Applegate in Falmouth Foreside. Jim had a special relationship with his mother-in-law, Alice Davis, making holidays special for her and diligently delivering the daily paper each day while she was a resident at Falmouth by the Sea.

Jim was an accomplished painter, an avid fisherman and baseball fan. He loved a good book and a good movie, being especially proud of his collection of Academy Award winning movies. He was a member of the Woodfords Congregational Church, the Woodfords Men’s Club, and Falmouth Country Club.

Jim lost Marcella, the love of his life, in 2009 after 63 years of marriage. He leaves a beloved sister Margaret “Peggy” Janicula of Glen Burnie, Maryland; two nieces, Dannielle and Allison Christine, and a nephew, Faion; a sister-in-law, Laura A. Maxwell of Pittsfield; a nephew, William L. Graham, spouse Marilyn and children Charles and Kristyn-husband Joshua and children Jordan and Jillian, also of Pittsfield.

In addition to his parents, James and Isabella Alice Wilson, and Marcella’s parents, Calvin and Alice Davis, Jim is predeceased by brothers-in-law, Lt. Charles W. Graham and Edward E. Maxwell.

The family wishes to thank the loving caregivers at Falmouth by the Sea and Foreside Harbor.

Graveside services will be held Monday, November 22, 2010 at 1:00 PM at the West Kennebec Cemetery, Machias, with the Rev. John Sprague presiding. Arrangements have been entrusted to Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland.