PEABODY – James Blake Shatswell, 88, of Peabody, formerly of Salem, died Saturday evening, March 4, 2017 at his residence at the Brooksby Village with family at his side. He was the husband of the late Elizabeth Mae “Betty” (Humphrey) Shatswell with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.
Born in Salem, he was the son of the late Alfred and Dorothy (Ashby) Shatswell and was a lifelong resident of the city until moving to Peabody in 2015. He was a graduate of Cushing Academy and attended Boston University.
Jim was a 50 year member of the Essex Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Salem, served as Chairman of the Salem Off Street Parking Commission, was a longtime member and treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Brookhouse Home on Derby St., and served on the Board of Directors of the Holyoke Mutual Insurance Company.
Jim served in the United States Army following the end of WWII, and was stationed in the Pacific as part of the occupation troops until he was released from active duty in 1949. One year later, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving on active duty from 1950 to April, 1952 and attained the rank of Sergeant. He then transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve where he served until his discharge in 1959.
Jim joined his father at Alfred I. Shatswell & Company as an auditor and was a bank examiner for many years, eventually taking over the business. In the 70s he partnered with Glen MacLeod and in the early 90s retired, but stayed on as a consultant for Shatswell, MacLeod & Co. Never one to stay idle, he worked as a funeral home assistant for many years at Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody, Full-Spychalski Funeral Home and Levesque Funeral Home, both of Salem.
Jim, together with his late wife Betty, were animal lovers and always had at least one dog at home. They were especially fond of their standard poodles Onyx and Blue Belle.
Jim loved the ocean, and especially sailing. There was always a boat in water, his favorite was the Highlander an IOD class sailboat that he raced off of Marblehead with Betty as his first mate, and family as crew.
A true gentleman in all sense of the word, he was completely devoted to his wife and family and provided a strong, quiet, supportive presence in all our lives.
Mr. Shatswell is survived by one daughter, Lizabeth “Beth” Shatswell Miller of Salem, a son and daughter-in-law, James “Jay” Shatswell II and Barbara Williams of Ft Myers, FL, grandchildren, Lindsey Miller, Paula Miller, Nathaniel Shatswell, Eva Cowles and her husband Rob, a great grandson, Hunter Shatswell, nieces Naoma Boylston, Paula Howe and her husband Arthur, Susan Harrington and her husband Rich, Sally Cunningham, one nephew, Bruce Shatswell and his wife Pat, and great nephews Trevor Boylston and wife Molly and Samuel “B.J.” Boylston. Jim was predeceased by brother, John Shatswell his wife Betsy and nephew Peter Shatswell.
His funeral service will be held Saturday, March 11, 2017 at 10:30 AM in the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, by Salem Common, Salem. Visiting hours are on Friday from 5 to 8 PM. Burial is in Greenlawn Cemetery, Salem. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. For on line guest book, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.