James P. Scanlon

James Patrick Scanlon, formerly of Bedford, NH, passed away on November 18th in Fort Collins, CO surrounded by his family. Jim was born May 10, 1938 to James and Ann Greiling Scanlon in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating Fairfield University in 1959, he joined the National Guard as a commissioned officer. He began his illustrious career as a high school teacher of English and history. He then moved into sales and marketing, first for publishing firms Harper & Row and Holt-Rinehart & Winston and later for software firms, most notably, Control Data and Intergraph, eventually directing all US sales territories.

He met Judy Davis, his wife of 49 years, at Holt. They spent five years in Brooklyn Heights before moving to Ridgewood, NJ where they raised their three daughters. Jim was an avid athlete - regularly playing basketball, softball, and tennis. He taught his daughters to ski, to play softball and tennis, and coached their sports’ teams. He was a prolific reader and self-taught handyman and wood-worker (designing and constructing furniture and detailed finish work), long before the internet made DIY universally available and popular. He was also a lover of dogs; never without one over the course of 50 some years. He took great interest and pride in his family, and in their extended families. He held counsel with friends, colleagues, and family members often, encouraging, advising, nudging, to self-actualization. Jim fully believed in the will to overcome adversity, but he also championed those whose circumstances prevented it.

It was in Bedford, NH where he and Judy settled in 2002, that Jim would find his greatest vocation. After short stays in Huntsville, AL and Syracuse, NY, Jim and Judy made Bedford home. He served on the Town Council from 2010-2016, finishing out his second term there as Chairman. He was a thoughtful deliberator and eloquent diplomat when the occasion allowed for it. Conversely, he could punctuate any conversation with a needle-like quip. His regular editorials in NH and CO papers are testament to that. He rallied for community programs like Meals on Wheels and veterans’ programs, opioid intervention and education, and famously for the town dog park. Despite different health issues, Jim remained committed to his service on the council, even early in his term when complications caused him to lose his vision. He listened to speeches and reports multiple times to commit facts and figures to memory. He relished being a public servant and was always grateful for the faith entrusted to him.

After a lifetime on the east coast, Jim and Judy relocated to Colorado in 2016 to spend more time with their two daughters and their families. Jim is survived by his loving wife Judy Scanlon, his three daughters - Lisa and husband Greg, Jen and husband Mark, Christine, his doting sister Sheila and brother John, and grandkids Andrew, Ben, Alexa and Katherine. He is predeceased by his brother-in-law Bill and his grandson Henry. He will be missed everyday, but his memory endures forever in our hearts.