James M. Stafford

On September 14, James M. Stafford of Lynn, MA passed away at the age of 95. 

Jim was born on May 2, 1927 in Lakeville MA to Warren and Isabelle (Daisy) Stafford. He spent his childhood in Charlestown.  After graduating from Boston English, Jim enlisted in the  Army Air Core and was stationed in Japan from 1944-1947.  Upon his discharge he enrolled in St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont then graduated with a B.A in Economics in 1951. Jim continued his education at Salem State College earning Masters in Education and Guidance.

During his college years Jim worked as a summer lifeguard for the Boston MDC and in 1947 was posted at Nahant Beach in Lynn where he met the love of his life, Ellen Burrill.  In 1951 Jim and Ellen married and settled into her ancestral home in West Lynn where they joyfully raised their family and lived the rest of their lives.

Jim’s focus throughout his long life was the education, coaching and guidance of young people. His lessons reached beyond classrooms to the skating rinks, ski slopes and swimming pools of  New England. He taught History and Social Studies in the Chelsea school system before moving into a guidance counselor position at Austin Prep in Reading.  Jim took great delight in helping his students enroll in the best colleges and universities across the country and around the world.  In 1991 Jim was asked to join the Executive Board of the North Shore Guidance Directors Association where he served  as the Treasurer until he was 90 years old.

Jim was an outstanding multi-sport athlete. He discovered skiing while in the military schussing the pistes at some of the first ski areas in the country. He coached the Austin Prep Ski Team throughout his tenure there and was a ski instructor at Bradford Ski Area in Haverhill, MA. In the 1970s  Jim served as a ski reporter for WEEM radio.

Jim coached many hockey teams including the Chelsea Devils and Lynn Youth Hockey.   When summer rolled around the skis and skates were traded in for running shoes and a bicycle. He was often seen running or riding his bike along Nahant Beach or volunteering at the Nahant Beach races well into his 80’s.

Jim will be remembered for his charming personality, superb athletic and coaching skills, enthusiasm for learning and a deep connection to community.

He is survived by daughter Ellen Stafford and her husband Erik Emerson of Pacific Palisades California. Two sons, Jim Stafford and his wife Chris of Lynn, and  William (Chick) Stafford and his wife Barbara who reside in Swampscott.  Jim also leaves behind five grandchildren Jason, Matthew, Frank, Jack and Abby Stafford and a great granddaughter Juliette Stafford. 

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John’s the Evangelist Church in Swampscott on Saturday, September 24 @ 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Friends of the Lynn Public Library.  https://lynnpubliclibrary.org/  

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