James Falls age 92, a Salem, NH resident for over 60 years, passed away on Wednesday Oct 21st 2009 at the Colonial Heights Care and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born in Montana. He grew up in Nicholson, Pennsylvania and worked on the family farm and in other enterprises owned by the family. He attended Nicholson Public Schools and graduated from Nicholson High School.
He joined the US Marine Corp in 1935 and served for 35 years. He retired as an officer, CWO4. During the World War II he was stationed overseas in the South Pacific. He saw action at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, the Solomon Islands, Corigidor and other South Pacific theaters. He was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and saw service in South America including the Galapagos Islands.
During his military career he was stationed at the Boston Naval Shipyard, the Portsmouth, NH Naval Prison where he was the assistant warden, and in North Carolina, San Diego, San Francisco and other locations.
He was married to the late Anita (Apitz) Falls for 54 years.
He returned home after the war and was in the construction business for many years. He was the first building inspector and health officer in Salem, NH and he managed the town’s first sewerage treatment plant. He was Scout Master of Troop 160 and contributed to many historic books and articles about the history of Salem, NH.
For many years he raised the flag at the Salem Center Common every morning. His hobbies were the restoration of antique cars and trucks. He loved to garden and build clocks. He was a self taught machinist, electrician, carpenter, auto mechanic and building designer, including the current Salem Town Office.
He leaves his son James J. and daughter-in-law Diane Falls of Salem, NH.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9-11 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11 AM at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home 214 Main Street, Salem, NH. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Salem, NH.