James Jason Rigley

Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend, James "Jim" Rigley passed away on February 8, 2026 after a series of strokes. The first of three sons, Jim was born to Bernard and Dorothy (Fisher) Rigley on October 18, 1941 in St. Stephen, NB because Calais, Maine did not have a hospital. From his mother Jim learned early on to love music as he "directed" her in the Sweet Adelines. In fact, many of Jim's most delightful and humorous memories of Calais were his experiences as a young drummer in an infamous local nightclub. Oh, the stories! Late in life Jim continued honing his talents as a drummer while also taking piano lessons at the age of 70. A favorite pastime was attending traditional jazz and vocal concerts in the Boston area with his wife Pat.

While he left his hometown in his early 20's, first joining the army where he was proud to be in Officer Candidates School and also realized his talents as an amateur chef, Jim's earlier selection as president of his class of only 50 students meant his ties were fully formed, and he was the key organizer with his friend Jim Rutherford of every 5-year reunion from 1964 to the last Class of 1959 reunion in 2019 where everyone toasted to their lasting history and friendships.

Jim followed his army career by working nights and attending Husson University in Bangor, Maine where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Jim's business career included his role as president of Tilton and Cook Plastics Company in Leominster, MA in the 1980's and later as the owner of Jensen's Cleaners and Delivery Service in Medfield, MA.

An avid sports fan Jim was devoted to his Boston teams, particularly to his Boston Red Sox. He consistently "managed" the team via his cell phone, citing stats, trades, and celebrating when "pitchers and catchers" day finally arrived. He often re-lived the long-awaited World Series wins by re-watching them on TV. The final sporting event Jim ever watched with his wife was the Patriots win against the Denver Broncos, a joyous closing for such a devoted fan of all sports Boston!

On the links Jim was a patient teacher as he introduced the game of golf to his wife, and some of his best days were when he played this game he loved with her, his sons Mark and Steve, his brother John and other friends.

Entertaining friends from Massachusetts and Connecticut with his creative cooking was a true passion for "Chef Jim" and on so many occasions the dining room became his upscale "restaurant" filled with

gourmet dishes, great conversations and always laughter.

Jim loved learning about the unique personalities and interests of his six grandchildren, and sharing the holiday celebrations and special summer visits.

Above all else Jim Rigley would like to be remembered for the precious times he shared with others: the years of neighborhood parties with his two "boys," the over-the-counter conversations with his Jensen's customers, the North Conway and Storyland adventures with his grandchildren, the New Year's Eve swing dances with his wife at Symphony Hall, sharing classic Calais moments with his oldest friends, donning top hats, faux Moose antlers or singing and dancing to "Chicken Fried" with the crazy Connecticut crew, basking in a surprise "wigs for Jim" celebration with the Massachusetts gang when he battled (and beat) Non Hodgkins lymphoma, smiling broadly at a kitchen in distress while that night's dinner guests praised his Michelin star worthy gourmet meal, and finally, being given the time to sweetly hold 6 newborn babies, each promising him a lovely legacy.

Jim was pre-deceased by his brothers Bernard and John. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Morrissey) Rigley, his former wife and friend Susan McHale, his sons Mark and Steve, his step daughter Erin Wilson and her husband Jeff, his grandchildren Maeve, Jillian and Samuel Wilson and his grandchildren Lainey, Samantha and Jonathan Rigley, his cousins Dan Hollingdale and David Driscoll and so many friends, all who will remember their special times with Jim.

A private internment is planned, and arrangements are pending for a Celebration of Jim's Life in the spring. Donations in his memory may be made to The Greater Boston Food Bank or the Veterans Wounded Warriors Project.