James E. Chambers

Waltham – Mr. James E. 'Jim' Chambers, Sr., of Waltham, died Monday, November 2, 2009 at Meadow Green Nursing Home in Waltham. He was 95. Jim was born in Waltham on September 30, 1914, a son of the late J. Wallace and Eliza (Shaw) Chambers, and had been a lifelong resident. Until his retirement he worked for thirty years as a truck driver for the City of Waltham Public Works Department. During World War II he served with the United States Army. In March, 1945 he was wounded in action in Italy and taken prisoner until the end of the war. Jim recuperated at Lovell General Hospital at Fort Devens until his discharge just after Christmas, 1945. In addition to theatre battle ribbons Jim was awarded the Purple Heart medal when he was reunited with American troops in May, 1945. He had been a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 953, the Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 1018 and the Disabled American Veterans, Division 14, all in Waltham. He was also a longtime and loyal Red Sox fan. The husband of the late Irene (Beck) Chambers, Jim leaves his son, James E. Chambers, Jr. and his wife, Maureen, of Tewksbury; his step-daughter, Barbara Gobbi of Litchfeld, New Hampshire, his grandchildren, Karen Pruy, John Chambers, James Chambers, Richard Chambers, Kristin Chambers, Nina Tobin, Denine Applebee, Renee Myrdek, 15 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Jim was also a brother of the late Walter, George, Frank and Eugene Chambers, Lillian Shelly and Dorothy Gladman. Family and friends will honor and remember Jim's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham. Memorial donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Fl., Boston, MA 02445-7295.