Long time Ocean Cruising Club Port Captain and revered Engineering Professor crosses the bar. James Lawrence Wales III, age 91, passed away on November 8, surrounded by his loving family. Known affectionally as “Jimbo,” he was born in Swampscott, Massachusetts, to his loving parents Lawrence Blake and Elizabeth Munster Wales, and was raised in Marblehead, MA. Jimbo earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Tufts University and a Master of Engineering degree from Northeastern University.
Prior to starting his engineering career, he served in the U.S. Navy as an officer on destroyers out of Newport, RI. His greatest interest was deep water sailing and, while working for Fore River Shipbuilding in Quincy in the 1960s, Jimbo and his first wife, Patience (Bens), prepared for a world circumnavigation. Together with another couple, Dr. Bebe Wunderlich and her husband, Kenneth, they bought a double-ended, 42-foot, wooden boat named "Kismet". In 1963, they headed west over the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal and through European rivers, returning in 1967. It is believed that, at the time, they set a record for two couples making a long-distance voyage without splitting up.
Following the circumnavigation, Jimbo worked for the prestigious engineering firm of Stone and Webster, and taught engineering courses at Wentworth Institute in Boston. In 1972 Jimbo married his second wife, Joan (Mathison). Jimbo and Joan had two sons, Nathaniel and Todd. He went on to teach engineering at Mass Maritime Academy where he became a full-time professor. Jimbo spent the remainder of his working career at Mass Maritime where he is remembered as being tough but fair. He was so revered that he was asked to return to teach on a part-time basis after he retired.
During his teaching years, Jim always had a love for cruising sailboats. For several years, he kept his boat, “Charisma” in Florida and during the winter months would cruise the Caribbean Sea. Jim was a long-time member of the Ocean Cruising Club and for many years was Port Captain for Buzzards Bay. Sailing brought Jim to fall in love one final time, with his third wife, Barbara (Farrell). They married at Swift Memorial Church in Sagamore Beach on December 2, 2000. Jim and Barbara enjoyed sailing together, well into his golden years.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Barbara, his two sons, Nathaniel and Todd (Caryn), his brother, Walter (Karen), stepdaughter Christine Crue, stepson William (Marilie) Woodland, grandchildren, Marissa, John, Ella, Erica and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his sister, Cynthia Wales Taylor.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 30th, 2024, at 11am, at Swift Memorial Church, 10 Williston Rd, Sagamore Beach, MA.