James A. Haigh, P.E., CPE
The son of James A. Haigh and Marie (Brisson) Haigh formerly of North Providence, RI, and husband of the late Joyce Malone P. Haigh formerly of Greenville, RI, for 30 years until her death September 9, 1992. They were the loving parents of and survived by three sons; James Andrew Haigh of Attleboro, MA, Major Seth Jonathan Haigh of Redondo Beach, CA, and John Haigh and his wife, Kristen Leong of Ft. Collins, CO, and a daughter Wendy Jeya Haigh Botticelli of Warwick, RI. He is also survived by his granddaughters Alicia and Kristin Haigh. Jim lived in Smithfield most of his life and also in Andover, MA, Fall River, MA, Norfolk, NE and Sioux City, IA. He is survived by his sister Marilyn Wayne of SC, and predeceased by his brothers Richard and Michael. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island. He also attended Brown University (extension) and the RI School of Design College of architecture as part of the University of Rhode Island Honors Program for credit in his undergraduate BS degree. Post graduate work was performed at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Iowa State University, and University of Iowa.
Jim was licensed as Professional Engineer in Rhode Island in 1973 and by comity in the Province of Ontario where he consulted for the Canadian Ministry of the Environment Green Creek Waste Treatment C$350,000.00 expansion. Jim was a guest speaker and seminar presenter for several professional societies in the US and Canada and invited by the French Government to consult with Fromatom, the French Atomic Energy Commission and is also one of 700 scientists including several Nobel Laureates signing a letter to the US Government with regard to Global Warming Myths. He was a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators, Providence Engineering Society, The National Society of Professional Engineers where he served as Delegate to the Board of Governors for the RI Society of Engineers were he was a Member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the “Engineers in Industry”, Practice Division; Iowa Engineering Society and a life member of the Association of Certified Plant (Facilities) Engineers since he was Certified as a plant (Facilities) Engineer since 1976.
In addition to employment as Process Engineer, Project Manager and Environmental Engineer at the time of his retirement, Jim had previously owned or was a partner in Industrial Supply Business’ and was Owner of and Principal Engineer of Haig Associates Ltd. of East providence, RI, from 1976, specializing in the fields of Environmental and Forensic Engineering. In addition to his private practice he was at times employed in various executive positions for US and Foreign Corporations. His last position prior to retirement in 2003 was as Environmental Engineer and Corporate Spokesperson in North American for the Kind & Knox Gelatin division of the German multinational corporation, Gelita in Sioux City, Iowa. In addition to his engineering activities Jim also worked as a stock broker at Janney Montgomery Scot of Providence, RI.
Jim was active in the community being elected a VP, Senior Warden, Vestryman and a licensed Lay Reader and Chalice Bearer at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Greenville, RI, where he also had a ministry performing Sunday Services at Nursing Homes in Smithfield, RI. He was a member of and elected to the Bishops Committee at Calvary Episcopal Church, Sioux City, IA, where he also was Clerk of the Bishops Committee. Jim was active in politics serving as a member/President of the Smithfield Republican Town Committee.
Jim was elected to the Smithfield Planning Board where he served two terms. He was also a Member, Vice Chair and Chairman Pro Tem and a member of the Sioux City Enterprise Zone Commission. He was life/50 year member of Temple 18/Roger Williams Lodge#32AF&Am in addition to Granite #26 Friendship#7 AF&AM where he was twice honored with election as Worshipful Master and was a life Member of the RI Masonic Charities. Jim was a 32nd Degree Master Mason, Scottish Rite SJ and a member and Rider with Abu Bekr (Shriner) with its World Famous White Horse Mounted Patrol of Sioux City, IA. Jim liked to sail and golf and was a member of the Dakota Dunes Country Club in North Sioux City, SD prior to moving to New Bedford, MA in 2011. Jim was the author of several books, non- fictional “James the Just (Brother and Successor of Jesus the Christ)” and “Accident of Christianity” along with historical fiction novel ” Lost Secret Gospel of Mark” both works in progress at this date. Regardless of any degree, office or other achievement Jim was dedicated to his loving wife and four children and regarded that as his greatest achievement in life.
His funeral will be held Saturday, July 30th at 9am in St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1 Smith Avenue, Greenville, RI. Visitation Friday 4-7pm in the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI. Burial Private. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 201, Pawtucket, RI 02860 Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Foundation