James F. Blute, 90, of Manchester, NH, died Monday March 25, 2024 in the Pleasant Valley Nursing Center in Derry, NH surrounded by his loving family. He was born on February 14, 1934 in Boston, MA, a son of the late James and Mary (Sullivan) Blute, was predeceased by his two sisters, Mary Lafollette and Ann Humphrey, and was the last remaining sibling. He had been a resident of Manchester NH for the past 7 years, formerly living in Auburn, NH. He was a US Marine veteran serving during the Korean Conflict era. He had been employed for 19 years at Wang Laboratories as a Safety Officer. Prior to that, he had been employed at Raytheon Electronics for 18 years.
Growing up in Charlestown Mass, Jimmy’s admiration for the Lord and gospel was instilled in him at a very young age attending Parochial School. His talent in music was first nurtured singing and performing with the Bunker Hillbillies, a group established through the local boys club. At 21, he met and pursued the girl of his dreams. They were married on April fool’s day in 1956 almost 68 years ago. He often joked it was supposed to be a prank yet his family was the joy and love of his life. Although a true people person joking and talking with everyone he met, his love of dogs was evident as he always carried a pocket full of dog biscuits. He was a great lover of music and a professional entertainer. His natural ability to play by ear, never learning to read music, amazed all. He was a member of a band the “Chessmen” for many years as a side job to support his family and later entertained as a one man band under the same name. In retirement, he played piano at the local nursing homes and performed as recent as his 90th birthday celebrating Valentine’s Day. He took pride in playing from memory an average of 50 to 70 songs an hour. He was a giver and enjoyed handing out lighted roses to people just to see their eyes light up. He not only regularly gave $2 dollar bills to waiters and waitresses but gifted the same to his great grandchildren on frequent visits. He was a man of faith and is now with our Lord Savior. We have lost a great man: husband father grandfather and friend. Forever in our hearts and memories, our family patriarch, “Jimmy Blute”.
He is survived by his wife, Beatrice (VonKahle) Blute of Manchester NH; his son, James M. Blute and his wife Darleen of Manchester NH; four daughters, Deborah Nadeau and her husband Joseph of Auburn NH, Diane Napoli and her husband Andrew of Penn Valley, CA, Denise Caperci of Manchester NH, and Donna Blute and her husband Sean of Nashua, NH; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren.
Following cremation, calling hours will be held on Friday, March 29th from 5 - 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. The family will hold private graveside services at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a local humane society for his love of dogs.