E James "Jim" Dufour Obituary (1934 - 2016)

E. James (“Jim”) Dufour, 81, of Skowhegan, Maine passed away peacefully on January 22, 2016 surrounded by his family. Jim was born on June 2, 1934 in Old Town, Maine. He was the son of P. Paul and Audulie Dufour. He graduated from John Bapst High School, Bangor, Maine in 1953 and from the University of Maine, Orono, Maine in 1957. He married Pauline May Gilbert on October 26, 1957. He worked in the insurance industry for over thirty years, principally as a partner with the William Philbrick Insurance Agency in Skowhegan, Maine. He also operated the Lakewood Golf Course in Madison, Maine for many years. Jim served as a Director on many Boards, including as a Director of Central Maine Power, Skowhegan Savings Bank and Key Bank. Jim was very active with the Roman Catholic Church, particularly Notre Dame De Lourdes Church in Skowhegan, Maine, where he served as a Member and President of the Parish Council for many years. He also served on the Council for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Jim was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus, Skowhegan, Maine. Jim was very active in his community. He belonged to the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Club where he was a Charter Member. He was also a Member of the Skowhegan Rotary Club. Jim was active in politics serving as the Campaign Manager for the then Governor Edmund Muskie. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Pauline; his sons, Michael James Dufour (and his wife Pamela Newhouse Dufour) of Hope, Maine and David D. Dufour (and his wife Patricia B. Dufour) of Skowhegan, Maine and his daughter, Anne Dufour Zuckerman (and her husband P. Benjamin Zuckerman) of Boca Raton, Florida; his seven grandsons, Joseph Dufour, (and his wife Nicole) of Skowhegan, Maine, Josh Dufour of Allston, Massachusetts, Zachary Dufour of Portland, Maine, Aaron Dufour of Skowhegan, Maine and Noah, Eli and Nathan Zuckerman of Boca Raton, Florida; and his two great grandchildren, (children of Joseph and Nicole) Kaitlyn and Levi Dufour. Jim is also survived by his brothers, Philip Dufour of Camden, Maine and Peter Dufour (and his wife Sarah) of Old Town, Maine and his sister, Eunice Bouchard, also of Old Town, Maine and many nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his parents, P. Paul and Audulie Dufour, his father and mother-in-law, Albert and Helen Gilbert of Orono, Maine, his brother and sister-in-law, Franklin and Pat Dufour of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, his sister and brother-in-law, Joan and John Caron of Old Town, Maine, his brother-in-law, John Bouchard of Old Town, Maine, and his sisters-in-law Barbara Malley of Bangor, Maine and Barbara Dufour of Camden, Maine. Jim enjoyed reading, boating, golfing, hunting, fishing, sports and most of all spending time with his family. He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend to all. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Notre Dame De Lourdes Church located at 273 Water Street, Skowhegan Maine at 1 p.m., Friday, February 5, 2016. Arrangements are under the care of Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan, Maine. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial donations may be made to the St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen, 291 Water Street, Skowhegan, ME 04976 or to Hospice Volunteers of Somerset County, 41 Main Street, Skowhegan, Maine, 04976 or a charity of your choice.