Marcotte, James N. of Wellesley, Waterbury Vermont, and Boothbay Harbor Maine. May 19, 2017. He was 61 years old and passed away after being stricken with AML Leukemia and many complications. Owner of Dovercraft Construction in Wellesley for over 40 years. Former President and Board Chairman of the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. In his years on the Board, he served as Chairman of the Ethics Committee, President’s Advisory Council and as a mentor to many young remodelers and builders. He was awarded the EM NARI Member of the Year Award in March of this year.
In 1981 Dovercraft was hired to help restore the Bigelow house in Newton Ma for the PBS series This Old House. Jim was featured in many episodes and in the book published to accompany the TV series as the expert for the challenging replacement of the intricate cedar shingles details on the entire structure. The Bigelow house was designed by renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson and featured many elements that Jim came to love so much that his own home in Wellesley has eyebrow window features; one of Richardson’s’ trademark details. This experience gave Dovercraft the wonderful opportunity to forge lifelong friendships with many of the other contractors on the show that can still be seen today.
He also served in many capacities with the Wellesley Historical Society since 1980. Jim joined the board in 2005, serving six years as a director and three years as second vice president. He actively participated on various committees and in Society events, and sponsored numerous events through his company, Dovercraft Construction. Jim was instrumental in maintaining the Society's buildings and properties and played an important role in planning the Society's new headquarters as chairman of the building and facilities committee. He worked tirelessly over the past 3 years on coordinating the design and construction phase for the renovation of the Society’s new home the Stanford House. The Historical Society Scholarship was established in 2008 at the suggestion of Jim and his wife, and they have been involved in the awards to the present day. To date, the program has awarded 22 scholarships to graduating Wellesley High School seniors.
Jim was a member of the Boothbay Harbor Historical Society, Waterbury VT historical society, Ski Museum of NE, New England Wild Flower Society, and Boothbay Harbor Opera House, supporter of SPIN Inc., Save a Dog, Defenders of Wildlife, Green Mountain Club, Boothbay Harbor Land Trust, and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Survived by his wife, soul mate, and business partner of 40 years, Kimberlee Dow his Border Collie Anniemae and Molly kitty. He was predeceased by his Golden Retrievers, Coca, Dylan, Meesha, and Sam, kitties Evan, Bill, and Monty. James was born in Boston. He is survived by his siblings Judith Marcotte, Sr. Benigna Concord NH, Daniel and Nancy Marcotte, North Hampton NH, Al Marcotte Charlestown MA, Joel Marcotte Frederick MD, Lucy and Ted Mottola York Maine. Nephews and Nieces Stephen, Amy, Joshua, Colleen and Ashley Marcotte and William Dow. Neile, Nicole and Ted Mottola and was predeceased by Kristen Marcotte.
Jim was an extremely accomplished skier and he loved to travel the US and Canada finding challenging locations to master the mountains by helicopter, backcountry and lift service. Meeting lifelong friends wherever he went to ski. He was a multiple level Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and an avid outdoor adventurer. In 1986 Jim and his wife renovated a historic building in Waterbury Vermont. The Stagecoach Inn was the original meeting house for the state of Vermont prior to establishing Montpelier as its capital. They ran it as successful business; bed and breakfast for 4 years after the restoration of 3 years. Collector of classic British cars and motorcycles he would proudly take to events in New England to show and meet other enthusiasts.
A service to celebrate his life will be held at the Wellesley Universalist Unitarian Church 309 Washington St, Wellesley Hills Massachusetts, 02481 at 1:00 pm on Thursday, June 8th 2017.
A fund has been established to benefit the EM NARI Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made to the James Marcotte Fund c/o Boston Private Bank 336 Washington Street Wellesley Massachusetts 02481. Donations may also be sent to Dana Farber Cancer Institute; DFCI Adult Leukemia Research Fund Attn: Dr Eric Winer Hematologic Malignancies Division Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 450 Brookline Avenue Boston, MA 02215.