Obituary of James Putney

James Putney, co-owner and President of Olympic Systems Corporation and Pro Candlepin Bowler passed away New Year’s Eve, at peace, comfortable, and surrounded by family and love. He was 59 years old. Jim was born in Needham, the son of James and Elaine. He grew up in Norwood and was a 1976 graduate of Norwood High School. He attended Wentworth University. He owned his own painting business for many years and then went to work with his father-in-law, Simon Bedigian at his new company, Olympic Systems Corporation in Winchester. The company was founded in 1983 when they purchased the entire Millipore Machine Shop and hired all their machine shop staff. They served customers in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical, analytical instrumentation and fluid/gas processing and Semiconductor industries. Jim was with the company for 25 of their 32 years acquiring all the skills and experience to become their operations manager and eventually President of the company. When friends and family talk about Jim, one word used to best describe him is “competitor”. Jim played to win and he knew that winning was all about practice, mindset, concentration, and being driven. If Jim was going to do something, he was going to do it well. He enjoyed playing golf with family and friends, often at the Lochmere Golf and Country Club in Tilton, New Hampshire. He always challenged his sons who had his competitive spirit as well. It was a great day for his son Brendan and a humbling day for Jim when Brendan could give him a competitive match and sometimes even win. But it was in candlepin bowling that Jim’s competitive spirit was glorified. He started as a teenager competing in candlepin tournaments. In a twist of fate, in the late 1960’s he was partnered up in a Channel 5 tournament called “Kids Winning Pins” with his future wife, Donna, when they were ages 11 and 12. He later became a professional bowler competing in tournaments all over New England for cash prizes. From 1982 to 1993 he made multiple appearances on Channel 5 bowling shows in men’s singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. He also appeared on Channel 27, Big Shot Bowling, NESN, and CBA Show. Just in the Channel 5 men’s singles, he made 22 appearances, had seven 400 and over strings, had the 3rd highest wins in a row (13 wins), and won first place in the WCTB-V 5 Candlepin Bowling Champion (1990). Other accomplishments during his bowling career included Mass State Tournament, four time Men’s Team State Champion, three time Men’s Doubles State Champion, and two time Men’s All Events Champion. In the Pro Series, he was the 2013/2014 Champion and 2012 Doubles Knockout. In recent years, on the Senior Tour he was Bowler of the Year three of 4 years he competed and had 6 tournament wins in 4 years. Some of the other statistics he accomplished were High Single 205, High Triple 478, High Five 765, and High Ten 1412. Through bowling, Jim was reacquainted with his wife Donna during a WCBC Tournament almost 30 years ago. Jim gave up his bowling career so that he could spend that time with his family. He was the beloved husband to his wife Donna for 29 years. They made their home in Burlington for the past 24 years. They made a pretty good team in bowling, but shined as a couple and parents. He loved being a part of his children’s lives, whether it was playing catch or basketball in the yard, coaching them in soccer and baseball, or encouraging them in basketball, football, softball, baseball, and golf. He was so proud of their successes in sports. Jim was so happy to become a grandfather and was confident that Felicity was going to be a great athlete. Having Jim as a father with bit of adventure as well. Family vacations were sometimes more like quests. There were countless trips, adventures, and conquests including rollercoasters, water slides, ATV excursions, tubing through Belize, golf trips, and hot air balloons. It was like he had a never ending bucket list. There were also some relaxing vacations to the Grand Canyon, Aruba, Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and several cruises. Lake Winnipesaukee was a very special place for Jim and his family. It was the place all the family, in laws, nieces and nephews, and friends gathered every summer. It was one of the few places where he would actually relax while on vacation. He recently became a boater. When he found out in July that he had cancer, he was determined to beat it. It was another competition in which he would prevail. But unfortunately, his cancer was one adversary he could not beat. Jim was the beloved husband of Donna (Bedigian). He was the loving and supportive father of Ryan of Burlington, Jennifer Foley & her husband Michael of Salem, NH and Dr. Brendan & his wife Dr. Jessica of Cumberland, RI. He was the proud grandfather of Felicity Grace Foley. He was the son of James Putney & his wife Maureen of Peabody and Elaine (Vigna) Kinslow & her husband Bob of Westwood. He was the brother of Lisa Sackett of Franklin, Mary Dempsey of Pomfret, CT, Jeff Putney of Peabody and Heather Geisser of Concord, NH. Jim was also survived by many nieces, nephews, godchildren, friends and his beloved dog “Allie”. Funeral from the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Friday 4-8 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name may be made to Make A Wish Foundation, One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02114 www.mass.wish.org=