NAPLES, Fla. - James S. Ide Sr., 86, formerly of Niles, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in his sleep, at his winter home in Naples, Fla.
Jim was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Niles, the son of O.H. Ide II and Pearl C. Smith Ide.
He graduated in 1944 from Niles High School.
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He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving as an electrician in Guam in 1945.
After his tour of duty, Jim attended The Ohio State University.
He married Gloria G. Barker on June 19, 1948.
Jim worked for Packard Electric on Dana Street in Warren in the electric motor and battery divisions. He left there to serve an electrical apprenticeship at IBEW Local 64 in Youngstown, retiring in 1987.
Jim was a lifelong member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, served on the vestry and helped with church dinners. For 50-plus years, he was a member of the Niles Masonic Lodge.
He and Gloria spent their winters in Naples, and their summers on the family farm in Johnston. After Gloria's passing, Jim continued the same living arrangements. He loved the Florida weather and was at the beach daily. He was on the board of the condo association there.
On the family farm that he dubbed ''Shangri-La,'' he mowed fields, planted trees, maintained and repaired equipment, did hundreds of projects and enjoyed raising veggies in his huge garden. He was up before dawn but by ''beer-thirty,'' it was time for a cold one and to enjoy family and friends. He enjoyed and maintained a close relationship with his many wonderful friends known as ''the gang.''
Jim enjoyed cooking, canning, reading books about history and looked forward to the Romanian church dinners. ''Posta Buna,'' Dad.
Going to the Canfield Fair early in the morning was a yearly trek, with the first stop to get a huge cinnamon roll and coffee.
Jim enjoyed and lived his life fully.
He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his two sons, James S. (Denise) Ide Jr. of Johnston and Robert A. (Renee) Ide of Howland; and two nephews, Oliver H. Ide IV and David Ide.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gloria; his parents, Ollie and Pearl Ide; a brother, Oliver III ''Bud''; and a sister, Caroline.
According to his wishes, there were no calling hours and he will be laid to rest alongside his wife in Chepachet, R.I.
Arrangements and care have been entrusted to the Robert P. McDermott Memorial Home.
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