James M. Rhoades

LEOMINSTER -- James M. Rhoades, 42, of 15 Penny Lane, died Monday, May 26, in his home after a long illness.

Mr. Rhoades was born in Fitchburg on Feb. 21, 1961, the son of William G. and Janet B. (Nelson) Rhoades, and was raised by his legal guardians, Robert J. and Darlene M. Nelson of Leominster. He graduated from Leominster High School in 1979.

Mr. Rhoades was a manager for the Bisson Tool & Die Co. in West Fitchburg where he had worked for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Joseph P. Keating, Knights of Columbus Council No. 99 in Fitchburg and Our Lady of the Lake Parish in Leominster.

He leaves his wife of nine years, Sharon A. (Collins) Rhoades of Leominster; a son, Robert James Rhoades and his twin sister, Rebecca Janet Rhoades and another daughter, Kayla Marie Rhoades all at home in Leominster; two brothers, William G. Rhoades, Jr., of Fitchburg and Ronald H. Rhoades of Leominster; two sisters, Barbara Walker of Wilmington, Ohio and Donna M. Bisol of Fitchburg; and several nephews and nieces.

RHOADES -- On May 26, James M. Rhoades, 42, of Leominster. The funeral will be held Thursday, May 29, from the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St., (www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net) with a Mass at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Church, 1400 Main St. Burial will be in the St. Bernard’s Cemetery, Fitchburg. Calling hours in the funeral home are Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rhoades Children’s Scholarship Fund, c/o Scholar’s Edge, P.O. Box 55001, Boston, Mass. 02205-8223; or may be left at the funeral home.