James Emery Wade, Jr. "Jim" Obituary (1945 - 2024)

Norridgewock - James Emery Wade, Jr., 79, departed this life on October 25, 2024, and has moved on to his next adventure. Jim was born on February 19, 1945, in Fall River, Massachusetts to James Emery Wade Sr. and Mae Elizabeth (McCullough) Wade. He grew up in Bangor attending the local schools where he enjoyed playing in the marching band as well as playing basketball and ping pong. Jim graduated from Bangor High School where he participated in the ROTC, then attended the University of Maine for a year before joining the United States Navy. After returning home from Navy deployment in the Mediterranean he married Aleta Littlefield, and they were blessed with three sons. During that time, he worked in multiple different trades. He also attended Husson College, graduating with a bachelor’s in accounting, working as an accountant / auditor for the remainder of his career. He married his second wife, Diana (Fickett) Wade in 1998, adding three stepdaughters to the family. They all often joked that they were the “modern Brady bunch”. Jim was well known to his family and friends as having a fantastic sense of humor. His quick and dry wit was never lost in any situation and later in life was expressed through writing. His writing began as a form of self-entertainment, but it soon turned into a hobby beloved by his family and friends. He wrote many entertaining anecdotal emails, humorous short stories, and even a short book titled “An Awesome Mystery”. In addition to writing, Jim was an avid reader. He loved smoking meat for annual family BBQ’s, family camping trips, and solving crossword puzzles with Diana. His sense of humor was often expressed via the exchange of playful gag gifts with family. He could be found at family parties and barbecues proudly wearing his outrageous and colorful “party shirts”. He dabbled in home winemaking, loved having a martini on the patio at home, eating at his favorite restaurants, and going on cruises. Jim’s kind and gentle heart was likely best demonstrated in how much he loved his cats, or as he and Diana called them, their “fur babies”. He was known to dote on and spoil their cats over the years, all of which were rescues from the humane society or strays that showed up in their yard. Jim leaves his wife of 26 years Diana L Wade; his three sons David Wade with wife Lura and their children Alison and Connor; Jeffrey Wade with wife Jessica; Robert Wade with wife Jamie and their children Kassidy, Alana, Robbie, and Declan; and his three stepdaughters Heather Beckner with husband Thomas Fickett and their son Wyatt; Kimberly Beckner with husband Marcelo Silva and their children Mariah, Madison, and Marcelo Jr.; Alyssa Graham with partner Daniel Roy; and his brother Jerry Campbell-Wade with wife Elna. A private service will take place with Jim’s family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to – The Somerset Animal Shelter 123 Middle Road Skowhegan, Maine 04976.