James L. Harding ’65

STRATTON – James Lewis Harding, “Jim,” 73, of Stratton, died Sunday morning, Oct. 9, 2016, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington.

He was born Nov. 29, 1942, in Skowhegan, the son of Kenneth and Ida (Padham) Harding. He was a graduate of Madison High School where he excelled in athletics, being a three-sport athlete (baseball, football and basketball). He continued his education at Maine Maritime Academy, and was a graduate of the Class of ’65. He went to sea as an engineer on oil tankers, taught at Erskine Academy, worked at CMP, and was a registered Maine Guide and owned his own sports shop in Skowhegan. In 1990, he moved to his camp in Wyman and worked at the Stratton Energy biomass plant. Upon his retirement, he skied and worked at Sugarloaf as a lift operator and snowmaker.

Always an outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, golf and gardening, but most of all bird hunting with his Brittanys. His family and friends knew him to be a man of integrity, intelligence and investment in his interests. He was a gifted athlete and sportsman, as well as an avid reader, bridge player and musician. His lifelong relationships were marked by loyalty and mutual respect.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Laurie Scribner of Stratton, whom he married in 1994 at the Flagstaff Chapel in Eustis; three stepchildren: Wendy Nile Black and her husband, Jeffrey Black of Biddeford and their three sons, Ian, Evan and Sean; Michael Nile of Malden, Mass.; Jonathan Nile of Nantucket, Mass., and his son, Sovann Nile and daughter, Marie Nile LeGrand; his daughter-in-law, Paula Nile of Coplin Plantation, and her daughter, Emma Nile; one brother, Raymond Harding and his wife, Darlene of Madison; nephew, Timothy Mack; several aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by a stepson, David Nile; and a brother, Edward “Eddie” Harding.

He was predeceased by a stepson, David Nile; and a brother, Edward “Eddie” Harding.

Public graveside services will be held Saturday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2016, from the New Upper Eustis Cemetery (behind the Flagstaff Chapel) at 2 p.m., with Rev. Bruce Townsend of the Calvary Bible Church officiating. Following services, a comfort reception, hosted by the Church Fellowship, will be held in the Church undercroft. Arrangements are in the care of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd. (Route 2 & 27), Farmington. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where his memorial video will also be able to be viewed.