

James W. Halpen, Jr., age 84, of Swansea, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2026 at Charlton Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Bernadette C. (Dupont) Halpen to whom he had been married for 62 years.
Born in Fall River, he was the son of the late James W. Halpen, Sr. and Gladys (Costa) Halpen.
Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. DD-850 naval Destroyer while the Cuban Missile Crisis was unfolding and his ship was the very first ship to represent the United States in this conflict. He was a proud Teamster and worked as a tractor trailer driver for 35 years.
Jim’s hobbies included classic cars, his love of the Boston Bruins and he made the best clam boil you’ve ever had!
Besides his wife, he is survived by three sons, James W. Halpen, III and his wife Donna of Swansea, Neil Halpen of San Diego, CA, and Keith Halpen of Swansea; one sister, Marjorie George of Texas; one grandson, Cody Furtado of Swansea, as well as many nieces and nephews.
His Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 from 12:00 to 3:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Entombment will take place on TUESDAY, April 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM in Notre Dame Cemetery and Mausoleums, 1540 Stafford Rd., Fall River. Relatives and friends are invited and kindly asked to arrive directly at the new mausoleum at the top of the hill by 10:45 AM.
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