On March 20th, 2025, James Arthur Reynolds went to be with his Lord and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. James came into this world 76 years ago in Worcester, Massachusetts. Born to George and Anna Reynolds, James was raised on Lanark Street in Worcester and attended Heard Street Elementary School and South High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1967 and served on the USS Morton and USS Benner from the coast of California to the shores of Vietnam, until his Honorable Discharge in 1970. In 1971, James married his long-time love, Virginia Thompson of Auburn, at the Hadwen Park Congregational Church. They started a family and soon moved to the house in Auburn, Massachusetts where James would live the rest of his life. After leaving the U.S. Navy, James worked with Donnelly Advertising as billboard construction worker. The company changed hands and was known as Ackerley Communications for most of his career. James retired in 2005.
James is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Virginia Gates and Barbara McGinn, his grandson Daniel James, and his former wife, Virginia Thompson. He leaves behind his brother George, John (Jack), and sisters Ann Burch, Joanne Cullinan, and Sue Rochette. His children James, Dena Baril, Brenda Grady, Sean, and Joseph, his grand-children Joshua, Cody, Skyler, Rani, Kaia, Katelyn, James Anthony, and Amy, and his great-grand children Lilah, and Lydia.
James also leaves behind his other family, the Thompson Family, who started out in the very same house James would later own and live in till his last days. The Thompson’s were his brothers, sister, mother, nephews and nieces that were meshed into a family bond that can never be broken.
James leaves behind many many great people who were with him throughout his life and his last days. His brother George who spent countless times helping James with his needs and sitting by his side, his son in law John Baril who James loved like a son and was always there with a helping hand, James’ brother in law Gordon Thompson with who James’ completed “The Ride” from Texas to New York with James’ highlighted stop at Graceland to visit the home of the King of Rock and Roll. And especially his greatest friend and neighbor Stephen Lindberg, who along with his wife Janice, have helped James and his family with many events throughout life including his care and needs up and through to the very last days of James’ life.
There are many more people who were a part of James’ life that could be mentioned here, but that list would be exhausting to write. But please know, he spoke of so many of you over the years and has told so many stories about you. You were not forgotten by him or those of us that heard about you. We thank you for being a part of his life.
In his last moments of his life, James was surrounded by those that loved him and cared for him night and day until his last moments, his son Sean, grandson Joshua, daughter Dena, grand-daughters Kaia and Rani, and his niece Donna Gates, along with his daughter Brenda and his son Joseph.
James will be buried in a grave side service the All-Faiths Cemetery (Swedish Cemetery), on Island Road, in Worcester, Massachusetts at 11 am on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025. He will be honored by his old friend Bill Senior, who has asked the Patriot Guard consisting of veterans of the United States Military to provide James with a last honor salute. There will be no wake or prior services.
Dad, we love you and miss you, someday we will all be together again.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths”