James J. Hapshe
Sunrise Assisted Living Food Service Director
CHELMSFORD: James J. Hapshe, age 68, a resident of Chelmsford for 38 years, formerly of Tewksbury, passed away at Lowell General Dialysis on Friday, July 17, 2015.
He was the beloved husband of Elsa (Zuniga) Hapshe, with whom he recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.
Born in Methuen on April 9, 1947, he was the son of the late Nicholas A. Hapshe, Sr. and the late Loretta (Marchand) Hapshe.
Jim was raised in Tewksbury, attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1966. He later attended the Culinary Institute of America and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he received his A.S. Degree.
Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. Jim was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his active duty service.
He was employed as the Chef at the former Christian Formation Center in North Tewksbury for over 20 years and most recently as the Food Service Director for the Sunrise Assisted Living in Burlington.
Jim was an avid Harley Davidson Motorcycle enthusiast and loved touring the back roads of New England. In addition, he enjoyed camping, traveling with his family, and hunting.
Besides his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Christina Hapshe-Wink and her husband Joseph of Chelmsford; three grandchildren, Alyssa, Shannon and Josie Wink; one brother, Nicholas A. Hapshe, Jr. and his wife Sharon of Alexandria, NH; also several nieces and nephews.
Jim was the brother of the late Elaine M. Hapshe.
Calling hours are Tuesday, July 21, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral will be held Wednesday, July 22, at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.