LYMAN- James R Seward, Chief Warrant Officer 4, age 91, passed away on March 14, 2021 at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough, ME after a long illness. He was born in York, PA on June 19, 1929, the son of Claggett Seward and Anna Shelley Seward. He went to school in York, PA and received an award for never missing a day of school in 12 years. He played baseball with the Philadelphia As. He had the opportunity to become a professional baseball player after high school but his mother would not sign the papers to play professional baseball because they played ball on Sunday, the Lord’s day so he signed up for the Coast Guard. Jim’s service in the Coast Guard began in 1948 at Fletchers Neck Lifeboat Station on Biddeford Pool. He moved on to Light Ship Number 98 in Woods Hole, MA. Then to Light Station in Cape Elizabeth, then to Light House Halfway Rock, then to Coast Guard Base South Portland where he was on the CG 50004-D and the 53207-D buoy tenders, then on WAL 524 light ship in Woods Hole. Then on the USCGC Hornbeam, then on the USCGC Laurel, then moved to the CG training Center, Governors Island, NY. Then to the USCGC Gallatin, then out of the coast guard group Portland where he was on the USCG Cutter White Sage and his last assignment was the USCG Cutter Snohomish. He was the captain on a few of these ships. He retired in 1978 from the Coast Guard. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion. He worked for FA & CH Murray in Cape Elizabeth. He then became the Falmouth Harbor Master from 1985-1991. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling, building cabinets and furniture for his family, and playing Santa. He is survived by Patricia Seward and his children James D. Seward and wife Dianne of Waterboro, Deanna Perreault and husband Olie of N. Waterboro, Roxanne Croteau of Saco, Scott Seward and wife Becky of Lyman, Andrea Seward of Limerick and Angela Seward of Saco. He also leaves 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughter Melodie Johnson, son-in-law Daniel Croteau and grandson Jason Perreault.
Due to covid a family funeral service will be held Sunday March 21st at the Goodwins Mills Advent Christian Church. Interment will be at the Southern Maine Veteran’s Cemetery in Springvale, ME with full military honors - open to the public on April 6 at 2 PM
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service website, www.mainefuneral.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Rt. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074, or Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland Rd., Kennebunk, ME 04043.