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James Day Obituary
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Day; two sons, Bruce K. and William P. Day; one daughter, Anne J. Day; and a sister, Diane A. Day.
Mr. Day received a Bachelors Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at Webb Institute of Naval Architecture and a Masters Degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and later worked at Newport News Shipbuilding. He attended Hilton Presbyterian Church, and was also a longtime member of Coastal Canoeists and an accomplished water colorist.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at Hilton Presbyterian Church
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity or the Mariners Museum.
Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Day
Kate Holzback
September 19, 2016
Mrs. Day,
I know I usually use your first name, but spelling is still as enigmatic as it was to me when I first met you at 12! Eleanor (finally, it spelled for me),
I just want to add, one small thought: I don't believe I've ever seen two people more in love than when Anne and I came back after a High School nite out and you and Jim were waltzing. I don't even know if there was any music playing, but I know there must have been.
Katie H.
Kate Holzback
September 19, 2016
Mrs. Day, 9/18/2016
Oh, I didn't know you lost your husband--such a nice man. I did know that Kitty Booth had died not so long ago and just now, thought why didn't I write? I've had my mind on my own losses too, (my father and my river dog--I wish I had been as close to my father as I was to my dog). Normally, I would send my sorrow for you losses written in my own hand. I don't even know if you're going to receive this so much time has passed.
I am glad so many people wrote you, so many names familiar to me and I know there are so many, many more like me who heard late or got caught up in their own lives or who never heard or who are already gone who would have written, because you and your husband touched so many. You both were and are greatly loved.
Katie Holzback
Lois and Jim Ullman
November 18, 2009
I just read of Jim's passing in the HRA Navigator and was so saddened. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May his memory be for a blessing. With sympathy, Lois and Jim Ullman and family
Bill Parker
November 7, 2009
Dear Eleanor..Debbie and I would like to express our sympathies to you and to the rest of your family. We have fond memories of our few visits with you at Newport News a few years back, especially rescuing Joanie's tent one evening.. Sincerely, Bill
November 7, 2009
Dear Eleanor,
I just heard of Jim's death. My sincerest sympathy to you and your family.
Kathy Allen
Richard Day
November 3, 2009
Nov. 03 2009
Dear Eleanor, and family. Barbara and I just heard this evening of Jims death. We are so sorry for you and your family. Our roots go back a long way. Mine start in Templeton, MA in 1931 when Jim and Jo came to visit us in Templeton. They were just back from Panama and we took them with us to get the evening mild from Mr. Brook's farm which was about a block from our home at that time. When we explained to Jo and Jim milk came from cows they were shocked. They were convinced it came out of cans. Of course for them in Panama it did in those years. Over the years we had many wonderful visits with Jim Jo and Diane. We are so sorry you and Jim never managed to visit us here in southern MD. and we never managed to visit you in VA. We have lost track of Diane and we would like her to know we are thinking of her too. When we visit Peterborough we stop and visit with Jo and remember the wonderful times we had with her.
Rickie Griffin
November 1, 2009
Ann & Bill,
Rob Crutchfield Told me last night of your Dads passing. I truly sorry for your lost. I'm back in town & would love to see you both again.
Rick
244-8228
Fred Richmond
October 27, 2009
Dear Mrs. Day and Family,
I was sorry to hear of your loss. I worked with Jim at the Yard for about 8 years Prior to his retirement. Jim was one of the mainstays of our organization and always an inspiration to all who knew and worked with him. May I offer my deepest condolences in your loss.
Fred Richmond
Williamsburg, Va.
Rick Jones
October 27, 2009
Dear Mrs. Day and Family,
While I did not know you or your family, I echo the appreciation of Jim's support for all of us who worked with him.
Remember how he lived!
You and yours are in our prayers.
October 27, 2009
Dear Eleanor
Ann and I were saddened to hear the news of Jim's passing.You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Ann Tormey
Andy Poole
October 27, 2009
Dear Eleanor and Family,
I was sorry to hear of your loss. I worked for Jim at the Yard for about 10 years and loved working for him. Jim mentored a whole group of us and we all have fond memories of him. He invested himself in teaching us to be leaders and we are better because of it. He will be missed. You are in our prayers.
Jim Underwood
October 27, 2009
Eleanor-
A friend told me of Jim's passing, or "crossing the bar" as a mariner would say. Please accept my deepest condolences. Jim was a pivotal influence on my life at the shipyard, one of the few good guys with high integrity that actually told you when you did a good job. That caliber of men are too few indeed.
Jim
Elizabeth Koerner
October 26, 2009
Dear Eleanor,Ann, and family,
So sad to hear about your loss. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know Jim. His beautiful print of a stormy beach hangs at the top of the stairs in my house. I admire it many times a day. It will always bring memories of him.
Catherine Bond
October 26, 2009
Dear Mrs. Day,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband's passing. I hope the joy you shared in your life will help you through this difficult time.
Catherine LeCuyer Bond
Mary Agnes Davis
October 26, 2009
Mary Agnes Davis, Monard and Meredith Nichols.
Meredith called me last evening to tell me of Jimmy's passing. I was so fond of Jimmy and all the good times we shared during our time at HRA with you and Jimmy. I send love. I will speak with you at a later time. Let your friends surround you and your children with love. Mary Agnes
Robert and Diann Hall
October 26, 2009
Eleanor,
Jimmy was a special guy in so many ways. In his last years in the Yard he and I worked together closely on several projects and it was good to invited into the inner world of submarine design and see some really great minds, like his, at work.
As you know, Diann, the boys and I shared many happy days together on the rivers of Virginia. He helped introduce me to the fun sport of open boat white water paddling. It was an exciting way to get out in nature and see her in her true beauty, and sometimes get wet in the bargin.
He also shared his love of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, especially his screed ground of ground of Ocracoke. His walks on the beach and tails of Black Beard were fun and informing to hear, and mostly true.
His was one of the “good guys” both professionally and personally. A great coworker, mentor and friend.
Robert and Diann Hall (Hampton, Virginia)
Wendy Drucker
October 26, 2009
Mrs. Day, Bruce, Bill and Anne,
I know that there is nothing that I can say to make your loss any easier and I hope that you are telling stories and sharing memories. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sam Fairchild
October 25, 2009
Eleanor, Bruce, Bill and Anne - please accept my heartfelt sympathies on Jim's passing. The loss of someone as important to each of you as Jim was is a difficult thing, and I know that you will find the strength, together, to move on to the next chapter in the life of your family. You are in our prayers.
William Forehand
October 25, 2009
I was sorry to learn of Jim's passing. Jim and I worked together on retractable diving planes, for submarines, at Newport News Shipbuilding, in the early eighties. I found Jim to be a sincere and dedicated worker, very pleasant fellow.
Dick and Toshii Moore
October 25, 2009
Dear Eleanor,
John P wrote to us of Jim's death. It is hard enough to lose a fellow lover of ships and watercolors---but even more painful to lose a warm and winsome friend from our precious Hampton years. Our sincere condolences to you, Eleanor.
This summer a friend arranged a tour of the Webb Institute, and of course we thought of Jim throughout that experience. Just last night we watched videos of that visit, and thought again of Jim.
Life has been good here---especially the close proximity to our family---but we miss the Tidewater and all the good friends from that era of our lives. The memories of you and Jim are especially warm.
God's strength to you as you face the coming months.
Peace and love, Dick and Toshii
Janelle Proctor
October 25, 2009
Dearest Eleanor,
Please know that you have our most heartfelt prayers and warmest thoughts during this very sad time for you and your family. Life goes by too fast! It doesn't seem very long ago that we were strolling through the Venetian city square, listening to the symphony's melodies. You and Jimmy shared a special love and a vibrant life! We feel as if our lives have been enriched by knowing you two.
John and Linda Philbrick
October 24, 2009
We are so glad that we had a chance to know Jim. We will remember him as an adventurous traveler, studious investor, enjoyable companion, good friend, and a truly good man. He was quiet, but could tell wonderful stories about his times in the Navy, (crawling between decks on a submarine to find out why she had failed a dive test), or of his adventures in the merchant marine as a Webb student. We will miss him. Our prayers continue for Eleanor and for their children, and for him.
Steve & Ruth Lanning
October 24, 2009
Dear Eleonor And Family;
We are saddened at Jims passing. I remember the times we worked together at many Habitat for Humanity houses and how he would help get my tractor on the trailer and the hitch hooked up. It was always a pleasure to work with Jim. May the love of Christ be with you and your family. Steve and Ruth Lanning.
October 24, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
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