James Harris Prouty, 67, of Auburn died at UMass Hospital University Campus on April 27, 2024, following years of declining health.  

Jim was born in Worcester on Jan. 14, 1957, to Harris M. Prouty and Helen (Donovan) Prouty of Oxford Mass on what was the coldest day of that winter.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harris (1974) and Helen (2001) and is survived by four brothers. John M. Prouty (Peggy) of Charlton Massachusetts, Thomas M. Prouty (Debbie) of Jefferson, Daniel M. Prouty (Marilyn) of Charlton, and Timothy J. Prouty of Charlton. Jim was also quite proud of his long-term friendship and mentorship of Jason Patterson, which Jim viewed as a father/son team.

Jim also leaves behind eight nieces and nephews and ten grand nieces and nephews. During this latter stretch of hospitalization, Jim was most appreciative of the comfort, support and enduring friendship of Matt Butler, Peng Houatchanthara, Todd Lemon, and Phillip Wyman. Despite his medical difficulties, Jim would bestow his good humor and wit upon everyone he encountered each day.

An avid follower and practitioner of martial arts from the age of 14, Jim eventually became an  Eighth Dan Goju-Ryu karate master.

Jim had spent many years in various levels of public service, which includes:

•   - Reserve Police Officer/911 Dispatcher Oxford Police Department 1974-1981
•   - Patrolman/Detective UMass Medical Center, Worcester 1979-1981
•   - Patrolman Boothbay Harbor Police Department, Boothbay Harbor. ME 1981-1984
•   - 911 Emergency Dispatcher Charlton Police Department 1990-1995
•   - 911 Emergency Dispatcher Auburn Police Department 1995-1998
•   - Senior SIU Investigator UNUM Worcester, MA 1995-1998
•   - Senior SIU Investigator Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee, WI 1998-2001
•   - Senior Consultant Archangel Emergency Management, Oxford, MA 2002-2022

In addition, Jim had committed to expanding his educational development at Anna-Maria College which include a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, as well as master’s degree in Emergency Management (GCEM), and Counter Terrorism(CT) and the Counter Terrorism Studies Certificate Program through St. Andrews University.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17, 2024, at St. Roch’s Church, 332 Main St., Oxford.  Burial will be private at a later date at St. Roch’s Cemetery in Oxford.  A calling hour will be held on Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Paradis-Givner Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oxford, MA 01540, prior to the Mass.

 The family requests that flowers be omitted. Friends interested in making a memorial donation are encouraged to consider the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852.