James Francis Fletcher Jr.

He was born in Quincy, MA on April 17, 1919, the son of Sarah (Martin) and James Francis Fletcher, Sr. He moved to Keene at the age of six, and attended St. Joseph Regional School and Keene High School.

He was proud of his service to his country as a Navy veteran, serving in the Pacific Theater, during World War II.

As a young boy, he tap danced in local vaudeville shows at the Colonial Theater in Keene. It was during one such performance that he was asked to use a drum as part of the act and as a result, his love of music and playing the drums, began. He went on to play in local bands including the Gordon Bissell American Legion Keene Post #4 Band, the Herm Reed Orchestra, Pappy Bover Trio, and the Allan Kendall Orchestra.

For many years, he served as the secretary and treasurer of the Local #634 of the American Federation of Musicians. His love of music and performing continued well into his golden years. He was a member of the Keene Senior Swings playing the drums and dancing in their annual shows, well into his 80’s.

He worked many jobs in his lifetime. It was while working at the former F.W. Woolworths in Keene, that he met his future wife, Marlene J. Flanders. They were married in April of 1948, and went on to raise six children together. Early in their marriage, he drove taxi for both Ideal Taxi and Callahan Taxi. He later worked for 22 years with MPB Corporation in Keene, retiring in 1982.

After retirement, he worked for a few years with Fairfield Motors as a shuttle driver and gofer. He enjoyed this job and his sunny disposition served him well as he enjoyed meeting and talking with people. He also enjoyed spending time with his family whether it was for backyard barbeques, trips to Hampton Beach and Canopy Lake, or just sitting around reminiscing. He enjoyed dinning out, especially the many family celebrations, usually one of his many birthday, at Nicks Restaurant.

He was a parishioner of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, attending St. Bernard Church, where he served as altar boy in his youth. He was also a member of the Croteau-Coutts American Legion Post #24 in Marlborough, NH.

He loved his dogs, and over the years, he was best friends to a Border Collie, 3 Boston Terriers which were his favorite breed, and a beagle. At the time of his passing, he was cookie buddies with a Golden Retriever. He enjoyed volunteering for 3 years with his wife at the Monadnock Humane Society.

He told his doctor several years ago that he wanted to make it to 95. He did better than that by 1 ½ years.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marlene J. (Flanders) Fletcher, of Keene; three sons, Thomas Fletcher of Cambridge, MA, John Fletcher and his wife, Noreen, of Marlborough, Rev. James E Fletcher of Canastota, NY; three daughters, Kathleen M. Degan of Lebanon, ME, Patricia Spears and her husband, Joseph, of Keene, Tamala L. Fletcher of West Swanzey, NH; 21 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. He was predeceased by two great-grandchildren, Karissia Ouellette and Craig Metivier.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday, January 4, 2016 at 10:00AM in St. Bernard Church, 185 Main Street, Keene. Burial with military honors will follow in the Monadnock View Cemetery, Park Avenue, Keene. Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 to 4:00PM at the Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Fletcher’s memory to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446, or to St. Vincent DePaul Society, c/o Parish of the Holy Spirit, 161 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.