James T. McQueen

James T. McQueen, 86, of Town Farm Road, Jaffrey, NH, husband of Eleanor A. (DeMaria) McQueen since 1952, died at his home on Friday, March 30, 2012 after a brave battle with lung cancer. Born on March 23, 1926 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Archibald and Anna (Brehony) McQueen, he joined the U.S. Navy at 18 and served as a radio technician in the South Pacific in WWII. Later, he earned a Bachelor’s degree at Newark College of Engineering (New Jersey Institute of Technology), and a Master’s from Columbia University. He worked as a chemical engineer for Monsanto Chemical Co., in Springfield, MA, and after that for Foster Grant, and American Hoechst Corporation in Leominster, MA. He volunteered in parent-teacher organizations, was an incorporator of the Jaffrey Civic Center, and thoroughly enjoyed delivering Meals-on-Wheels. He loved classical music, good wine, a well-fitting suit and a good tie, exploring on his mountain bike, and any adventure that took him off the beaten path or better yet, to Dodge City by nightfall. A city boy whose first jobs included installing televisions and antennas in New Jersey, he learned to love tending gardens, mowing lawns and caring for homes in CT and NH. He was a loving and cherished husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, his daughters Claudia McQueen and her husband Sam Mukasa of Stratham, NH; David and Kathleen McQueen of Medford, MA; and Patricia McQueen and George Schak of Bloomfield, CT; and four grandchildren. Allison, Stephanie and Sandra McQueen and Christopher Mukasa. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Nature Conservancy, PO Box 6014; Albert Lea, MN 56007-9984; or online at www.nature.org/donate. Family and friends are warmly invited to calling hours on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Cournoyer Funeral Home Cremation Center, 33 River Street, (Route 202) Jaffrey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 at Saint Patrick Church, 89 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452. Rev. Wilfred Deschamps, Pastor, will officiate. http://thetributecenter.com/tributeplayer/default.aspx?webvideoID=4995