James Michael Ellingwood, 82, of Corpus Christi, TX, formerly of Derry, NH passed away suddenly, Monday February 23, 2026, after a period of declining health. Jim was born October 16, 1943, in East Derry, and was a son of the late John Paul and Ellen Mary (Murphy) Ellingwood. He was raised in Derry and had been a lifelong resident of Derry until he moved to Corpus Christi in 2025. He also wintered in Largo, FL where he enjoyed golfing. Jim enjoyed eating at his beloved Maryanne's in Derry, Ihop in Corpus Christi and The Largo Family Restaurant in FL. He touched the hearts of everyone he knew.
Jim worked in road construction with R.H. White Company for many years, then water main and natural gas. He started his own company, Jim’s Water Tapping Service, and spent 23 years with Energy North Natural Gas Co. in many capacities. Jim was a long-time member of the Derry Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a member of the Derry Volunteer Fire Department. He was the proud owner of the “Vixen” , an antique fire engine “Hand Tub”. Jim also enjoyed golfing and was still golfing daily.
Members of the family include three daughters, Dawn M. & Bryan Hedrick, Leah A.& David Bushnell and Jill R. Abbott. Seven grandchildren: Rozanna, Venessa, Andrew, Frank, Khrystal, Stephanie and Jackie, and eight great grandchildren, two surviving brothers, “Jack” John P. Ellingwood and “Bill” William T. Kendall, two sisters, Geneva M. Dubois and Linda A. Briand, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Brenda J. (Sullivan) Ellingwood in July of 2025, and by 5 siblings, Daniel G. Ellingwood, Guy Kendall, Gail Farland, Martha A. Frisbee and Emma Esburnett.
Calling hours will be held on March 4, 2026 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry. The burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his honor may be made to St Judes Children’s Research Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/ or Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) https://lbda.org/donate