James John Marines

James John Marines
Saco
Surrounded by his devoted, loving family, James John Marines passed away on June 25, 2024 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 82. He was born on June 21, 1942 in Malden, MA to John James Marines and Jennie Contraros Marines.
One year later, the family moved to Saco, ME where his mother and family were from. Jim attended Fairfield, CK Burns Jr. High, graduating in 1960 from Thornton Academy. He received his Bachelor of Science from Gorham Teacher's College in 1964, and Master of Science in 1972. He started his second Masters in Education, completing 15 credits.
Jim taught 4th grade at Young, Fairfield, and CK Burns schools retiring in 2004 after 40 years in the Saco schools. He was from the "old school", always wearing a button down shirt, tie, and dress pants throughout his career.
In 1968, when he was teaching at Young School, Jim was drafted into the US Army. He received his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ, attended Fort Mead, MD Intelligence School, then the Presidio Language School to learn the Vietnamese language in Monterrey, CA to become an interrogator. He served in Vietnam from April 1969 to April 1970, and worked in Administration at Headquarters of the American Division of the 635th Military Intelligence Detachment in Chou Lai as Specialist Five.
He returned to teach at Fairfield and then was transferred to Burns School.
He married his loving and devoted wife, Evangeline Panagoulias Marines on July 13, 1975 in Nashua, NH. His sons, Jonathan James and Charles Evan were his pride and joy. He was honored when they followed their parents to become teachers.
He leaves behind his adoring wife, Evangeline (Van); son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Sarah and grandchildren Allison, Katelyn, and James; son Charles and daughter-in-law Jennifer and grandchildren Evan and Cora. The 5 grandchildren always said he was the best "Papou". He looked forward to family gatherings and sharing Greek traditions with family. He also leaves his younger sister, Mary Pyliotis and her husband Peter of Wilmington, MA; niece, Mariam Pappas and husband Christos Pappas of Quincy, MA; and nephews George and Andrew of Wilmington, MA.
James was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that had metastasized in May. He led a courageous battle deciding to choose Hospice of Southern Maine at home instead of chemotherapy, and eventually being cared for at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.
Jim was a member of the Saco Teachers Association, MEA, NEA, Retired MEA, MAR, and NEA-R. He was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Saco. His strong, unwavering belief in God helped him through his illness.
Cote Funeral Home has been entrusted with James's arrangements:
Visiting Hours will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church from 10-11 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2024 with his funeral immediately following at 11 AM. Burial will follow at St. Demetrios Cemetery, 27 Cole Rd, Biddeford, ME 04005
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James's memory to:
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley Street, Saco, ME 04072
or
Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074-9928