James Allan Walker

“Mr. Lighthouse”

Jim passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on May 17 at Cape Cod Hospital. Jim was a very active member of the Hyannis community where he lived his entire civilian life.

He leaves behind his wife Sylvia and children Jimmy and Lynnette all of Hyannis; and his sister Judy Walker Selby Van Zante of Georgia. Jim was predeceased by daughter Cheryl and son Richard.

He met and married Sylvia Fish of New Bedford (“The biggest fish he ever caught”) in 1961. They had four children: Cheryl, James Jr, Richard and Lynnette. They were married for over 57 years.

Inspired by the true life story of the Pendleton wreck, Jim joined the Coast Guard after graduating from Barnstable High School. He was first in his class for Aids to Navigation. After his CG enlistment he worked as a Civil Servant for the Coast Guard, mainly as Industrial Foreman at Base Woods Hole, and later spent a few years at Otis until his retirement.

He loved the ocean, ships and lighthouses in particular. He tried to restore Nantucket/New Bedford Lightship but when that project fell through, he acquired permission for access to Race Point Lighthouse in Provincetown. The first few years of the restoration project was done with family and friends, until the organization grew and joined forces with New England Lighthouse Foundation, later to become the American Lighthouse Foundation. Jim also designed and installed the top to Sandy Neck Light with another group of volunteers. He helped establish and maintain the Coast Guard Museum in Barnstable Village.

One of the first citizens volunteers at Barnstable Police Department, Jim spent every Friday morning there for many years.

A wake will be held Sunday, May 27, 1-4 pm, at Doane, Beal & Ames, Hyannis, along with a Masonic Service. A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at a later date at Federated Church of Hyannis.

Donations in his memory can be made to Shriners Hospital, Coast Guard Museum or American Lighthouse Foundation.