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James H. Tasker Jr.
1921 - 2005
James H. Tasker Jr.
1921 - 2005
Obituary
Guest Book
James Tasker Obituary
Born in Dover, NH on July 26, 1921 the son of James H. and Violet (Watson) Tasker he was a graduate of the University of New Hampshire and a U. S. Army veteran of World War II.
He was a civil engineer and prior to his retirement was an assistant vice-president at the New England Telephone Company.
He is survived by his wife Lena (Georgelas) Tasker, a son Richard Tasker of Melrose, four granddaughters Mary Tasker, Rebecca Tasker, Judy Tasker and Jill Tasker, two great-granddaughters April Tasker and Shannon Hayes and a brother-in-law Frank Stevens of Rochester.
A son James R. Tasker and a sister Gloria Stevens predeceased him.
There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m.Tuesday at Pine Hill Cemetery, Dover, NH with Rev. Earle Custer officiating. Friends are invited to attend.
Arrangements are by the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover, NH 03820
Please go to www.taskerfh.com for more information or to sign the on-line guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
carol ordway-monkewicz
February 25, 2005
Dear Lee, Can't tell you how sorry I was to read of Jim's passing. I have a lot of good memories of times with you and the boys. Please let me know if I can do anything. Love Carol
john . Ancient Telephoniers of New England Shine
February 21, 2005
All your friends of the Ancient Telephoniers will miss you and wish you well
Rick Tasker
February 20, 2005
Biography of James H. "Jim" Tasker
Heritage
Jim’s father descended from John Tasker, who came from England to Madbury, NH in 1680. Tasker Garrison House on the Madbury Road near Durham served as fortress and refuge during Indian attacks. Jim’s mother Violet Watson Tasker was one of 10 children born to parents who emigrated from England via New Brunswick to Dover around the turn of the 20th century.
Boyhood
Jim used to ride with his grandfather, Arthur, in his horse and wagon as he made his rounds on his livery service. Jim raised chickens for money and food during the depression. As an adult, he never again wanted to eat chicken.
Young adult
The early 1940’s began times of great change for Jim. He graduated from UNH as a civil engineer, was married to Lena Georgelas Tasker, had two sons, James and Richard, and was in the US Army by the end of WWII.
Career
After the war, Jim started on his long career with NE Telephone. He started by putting in phone poles and through his diligence and the quality of his work was promoted first to Manchester and then to Boston. He rose to head the Boston “Plant” Division, the section of the phone company responsible for the physical construction of buildings and equipment. His final job for several years before retirement was as Asst. VP for Labor Relations, where he was responsible for negotiating contracts with the labor unions. He rarely ever missed a day of work. I remember on snowy mornings when school was called off and people were staying home, he was up at 6 AM putting chains on the tires of the car so that he could make it into work. When he was transferred to Springfield MA, he commuted for 2 years rather than take my brother and me out of our school. Similarly, he turned down career opportunities to transfer to NY headquarters.
Father
I always felt protected and cared for by my parents. More than that, they instilled or nurtured discipline and striving for the highest level of achievement. I remember at 4 or 5 years old and my father returning from work and the walk was not shoveled from the snow. He made it clear that this was not permissible and bundled us into our boots and overcoats and out into the dark to clear the walk.
We attended church at St. James Methodist Church in Stoneham every Sunday. I still have my long chain of “perfect attendance” pins. My mother and father both taught Sunday school. I could easily relate to the teachings of Jesus because I could see every day how my father acted fairy and rationally and with charity toward others in our own lives.
Jim also helped with the Cub and Boy Scouts where I was able to experience my love of the outdoors. When I was in high school, my biology class did not have enough textbooks for everyone, so my father gave the teacher money to order one just for me. He expected that my brother and I would go to college and that we would do well. He took me on trips to visit schools so that I could see them for myself, and I found a place in Duke U. that I could spend four years away from home and endure four more years of study and schooling.
Husband
Jim and Lee had been married for 63 years. My mother talked about rough times in the beginning, but my Dad was resolute. They spoke to each other often and frankly about their feelings and criticisms. They were best friends and companions. Though they had always been frugal in their lives, when they started to have some money and my mother wanted to possess the things she never had, Jim financed and indulged her. In the end, they always took each others side.
Person
My friends always told me how lucky I was to have my parents. My father was quiet but earned the respect of those who knew him for the quality of his character and his calm, rational approach to situations. I finally figured out in my late 30’s or early 40’s that he had the quality of wisdom. Family and acquaintances would come to him with their quandaries. Mostly he gave answers that no one wanted to hear, and that brought first anger and then the reluctant realization that the solution was just the thing that they were trying to avoid.
Robert Grant
February 18, 2005
I am sorry to read of your husband's and father's passing.
You must only feel that "God's finger touched him and he slept."
May the fine life he led be a source of comfort to you now.
I send you,and all members of your family ,my sympathy.
Bob Grant
Principal, Stoneham,Retired
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Justin Frankel
February 18, 2005
I worked with Jim for many years at New England Telephone. He was always a gentlemen, very intelligent and knowledgeable. But what I remember the most is that Jim was always a pleasure to work with. With my condolences, Justin Frankel
Rick Tasker
February 17, 2005
He had wisdom and he was a great Dad and husband.
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621 Central Ave, Dover, NH 03820
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