Obituary of James W. Small

James W. Small, retired Vice President of Camp Dresser and McKee, passed away peacefully on Friday night, June 7, 2024.  He was 75 years old.  Jim was born in Ware, Massachusetts.  He was one of three children born to John and Eleanor Small.  His father owned a dairy farm in Spencer, Massachusetts and Jim grew up helping around the farm, tending to the cattle, and assisting in whatever needed to be done.  He was a graduate of David Prouty High School in Spencer.  In was in high school that he met a fellow classmate named Sue LeDoux.  They were high school sweethearts, prom dates, and eventually married after both finished their college educations.  Jim went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) where he earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering.  He excelled in academics and was a proud member of Sigma Epsilon fraternity.  He went on to get his master’s degree in engineering from Cornell University.  Jim took a position at Camp Dresser & McKee engineering firm after graduating from college.  He spent the next 39 years with the company learning, honing his talents and moving up the corporate ladder, retiring in 2011.  Jim’s two major projects were the New Bedford Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Boston landmark Egg Shaped Digestors on Deer Island in Boston Harbor.  He worked on countless other projects all over New England and in other countries.  Jim’s coworkers knew him as an extraordinarily talented design engineer who was always happy doing whatever he was doing.  So, as you drive, sail, or fly over Boston Harbor you can always think of Jim and his achievements and improvements to the environment and the communities he served.

Jim never just worked a forty-hour week.  He was project driven and an overachiever.  In his little free time, he had several hobbies and interests.  He was a die-hard Red Sox fan.  He celebrated their successes and never lost faith during the rebuilding years.  He went to their spring training in Florida for decades.  He loved seeing his favorite players and the future stars in a up close manner.  He was an avid reader with history being his favorite genre.  He researched historical places and when he visited them in person, it was as if he could picture those events vividly and feel the solemnity of those who sacrificed their lives for a purpose.  That was especially true as he visited the battlefield of Gettysburg and closer to home events like the Patriots Day Lexington Green Reenactment.  He loved watching old Westerns to the point he could recite the lines verbatim with the characters.  He had a great circle of friends who he worked and travelled with.  They toured all over the United States and the world visiting destinations like Bermuda, Hawaii, Alaska, Greece, and Italy.  He was a strong role model to his children.  They saw his work ethic, easy-going mannerisms, and always shared a special connection.  There are so many ways to describe Jim including a gentleman, a leader, a loyal friend, a planner, a doer, quick witted, dry humored, calm under pressure, and most importantly a loving husband and father.  As a person who followed history, Jim lived his life according to the quote from lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell. “Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best”.

Jim was the beloved husband of 54 years of Suzanne T. (LeDoux) Small.  He was the loving and proud father of Michael Small of Marlborough and Jennifer Small of Burlington.  He was the brother of Lesley Zorabedian of Reading & her late husband John and Edward Small & his wife Louise of Spencer. He was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home on Saturday, June 15 from 10-11:30am.  Services will conclude with a funeral service at the United Church of Christ, Congregational in Burlington, www.uccburlington.org, 6 Lexington St., Burlington at Noon. 

Memorials in James’s name may be made to the First Congregational Church of Spencer, United Church of Christ Building Fund, www.spencerchurch.org, 207 Main Street, Spencer, MA 01562. 

For obituary, online guestbook, and video tribute see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net