James David Nowlan died peacefully Thursday evening, December 29, 2022 after having suffered a catastrophic stroke at his home.
Jim was born December 24, 1941, the first child of James Roy Nowlan, Jr and Christine Elizabeth Goddard Nowlan. He was born and raised in West Windsor, VT. He was called “David” growing up, to avoid being confused with his father. Jim started school in the 2 room schoolhouse next to Mill Brook across from the town hall and finished 8th grade at the “new” Albert Bridge School. He was a member of the Windsor High School class of ‘59. Jim attended St. Anselm’s College before transferring to the Lowell College of Technology where he earned a degree in Surveying.
Jim worked in construction in the Boston area, surveying the route for what is now I-495. On May 9, 1964, Jim married Barbara Ann Kapenas of Groton Mass. They had three sons, James Patrick Nowlan, David John Nowlan and Stephen Michael Nowlan. A member of the naval reserve, Jim was activated in 1965 and assigned to the US Naval base in San Diego. After discharge in 1967, Jim relocated to the Los Angeles area and began working for the California Department of Highways (CalTrans), but soon returned to the San Diego area, first continuing to work for CalTrans and then working for private Engineering firms. He became licensed in California, Arizona and Nevada and had work visas to survey for developments in Mexico. Toward the end of his career Jim also served on the Board for the California Land Surveyors Association, the licensing board for young surveyors. Helping young surveyors was one of his points of pride.
After retirement Jim and Barbara relocated to Beaumont, California. They enjoyed traveling in the United States and to Europe. Barbara died in 2011.
In 2013 Jim married Elizabeth Cipolla (Beth). They, too, enjoyed traveling, including a trip to Alaska, one to Italy and a visit to the Vatican. Later Jim and Beth left the California desert, relocating to Greenville in the hills of western South Carolina.
He is survived by his wife Beth. He is also survived by his son, James Patrick, wife Rosa, granddaughter Angelina and Grandson James Bernabe, all of Madrid, Spain; his son David, wife Heather, grandson Sebastian and granddaughter Olivia, all of Newport Beach, California; and son Stephen, wife Susanne, granddaughter Sofia, and grandsons Silas, Sixten and Simon, all of Grantham, NH. He is also survived by siblings Nancy Nowlan Zurn of Franklinton, NC, Peter Nowlan (Kathy) of Randolph, VT, Nicholas Nowlan of Lynn Haven, FL, Mark Nowlan (Kerry) of West Windsor, VT, Martha Nowlan McClintock (Bill) of Westford, VT, Margaret Nowlan Fullerton (Scott) of Rotonda West, Fl and Patrick Nowlan of Agawam, MA as well as brother-in law Tom Cipolla (Robin) of Pleasanton CA, brother-in-law Michael Cipolla (Yvonne) of Rancho Mirage, CA and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Besides his first wife, Barbara, Jim was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Judith Nowlan Schlegel.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, January 12, 2023. at 12:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Catholic Church.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown
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