James G. Wheeler

James "Jim" Grew Wheeler, 90, of Westwood, passed away at his home Sunday, April 13, 2014, surrounded by family. He was born March 27, 1924, in Boston, the son of Alexander and Agnes Wheeler. Jim attended Dexter School in Brookline and Milton Academy (Class of 1942). He enrolled at Harvard College (Class of 1946) in the fall of 1942. He postponed completing college and served proudly in the United States Army from 1943 to 1946. Jim trained at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colo., with the 10th Mountain Division. Due to illness, he was reassigned and served in the Philippines as part of the war crimes investigation unit. He achieved the rank of lieutenant. Upon his return from the service, Jim completed his undergraduate education at Harvard College and then graduated from Harvard Law School (Class of 1951). On June 16, 1947, he married Emlen L. (Lowell) Wheeler. They made their home in Westwood and enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Jim practiced law and was a partner at Hutchins & Wheeler in Boston (later Hutchins, Wheeler & Dittmar which subsequently merged into Nixon Peabody LLP) until his retirement in 2001. Jim was a well-respected trusts and estates attorney, trustee, and counselor. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bar and the American College of Trusts and Estate Counsel. Jim loved the law and was a stickler for grammar and spelling. One of Jim's special interests was politics and he served in the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as State Representative for two terms beginning in 1961. He was instrumental in passing the Massachusetts Organ Donor law. Jim was the Moderator for the Town of Westwood from 1967 through 1986. Above all else, Jim enjoyed spending family time with his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family. He and Em often had dogs while the children were growing up. In their later years a dog was a constant companion for Jim and Em. In 2013 their much loved rescue dog, Lulu, died. Jim was a very good athlete. He held the quarter-mile track record at Milton Academy from 1942 until the old cinder track was retired in 1982. Jim was a member of the track team at Harvard. He was also an active member of the Owl Club. After graduation, he was a longtime supporter of the Friends of Harvard Track. Jim followed Harvard sports regularly and it was said that the only time he was never late for anything was the game. Jim also was an avid Boston sports fan with a particular passion for the Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and the Patriots. He was an enthusiastic and competitive tennis player well into his 60s. He enjoyed fishing and took many trips to Northern New England and Canada to indulge this pastime. He was also a fixture off the Nahant coast chasing blues and stripers. While he loved fishing, the new friends he spent time with were equally important. He and Em enjoyed boating day trips to explore the Boston Harbor Islands. As a parent, grandparent, uncle, brother, professional colleague, and friend, Jim was a wonderful mentor to people of all ages and walks of life. From his many experiences, he had a myriad of stories and anecdotes, many of them humorous, ready to share at a moment's notice. Jim was well known for his sense of humor, wit, salty language, and practical jokes. Above all, he never took himself too seriously and had a knack for defusing contentious situations with a humorous turn of phrase and the ability to laugh at himself. He and Em had a great love of the outdoors and nature and shared that passion with their children. He was known for being sentimental. His favorite song was "Auld Lang Syne". Jim was an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction but he particularly loved prisoner of war and escape stories. Jim and Em traveled extensively including Alaska, Hawaii, Greece, and the Caribbean. The family spent many summer vacations and ski weekends in Orford, N.H., and enjoyed summers in Nahant. Jim held several positions on boards and committees throughout his life including Dexter School, Milton Academy, Anagnos School and Foundation, and many others. Survivors include his wife, Emlen; and their four children, James Grew Wheeler Jr. and wife Catherine of East Burke, Vt., Mary Emlen Anderson and husband John of Wenham, William Hooper Wheeler and wife Elleo N. Y. Wheeler of Nahant and Jonathan Lowell Wheeler and spouse John Iarussi of Boston. He also leaves six grandchildren, Erin Wheeler Zimbler and husband Mattitiyahu, Emily Q. Wheeler, Jonathan R. Anderson and friend Rose, William Anderson and wife Jessica, Trevor J. Wheeler and Trachita Wheeler. He was predeceased by two brothers, Alexander Wheeler Jr. and William Hooper Wheeler, and a sister, Agnes Wheeler. A private service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James Grew Wheeler's name to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Dr. Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt Research Fund, 450 Brookline Avenue, Room D1220, Boston, MA 02215-5450, or the Council of Aging, 60 Nahatan Street, Westwood, MA 02090. Folsom Funeral Home of Westwood is in charge of arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.folsomfuneral.com.