Joseph James Jackimovicz, 74, died peacefully on the morning of Jan. 5,2017 after a short, but hard fought battle with leukemia. His beloved wife Ruth was by his side.

Joe was born in Brockton, Massachusetts on Oct. 5, 1942 to Joseph Zigmund Jackimovicz and Valerie Beatrice (Chutiekis) Jackimovicz. He grew up in Randolph, Massachusetts and was a graduate of Randolph High School, class of 1960. He graduated from Boston College with a bachelor of science in geology in 1964 and proceeded to attend the University of Missouri in St. Louis to obtain a master of science. His work in graduate school allowed him to travel extensively in South America and Hawaii. This was also where he met his lifelong friends, John and Mary Miller, and had many adventures with them. While pursuing his master's, he volunteered to serve his country and was sent overseas to Kimpo Air Base in Korea as an Army 1st lieutenant. He separated from his post with honorable discharge as a captain having served as the company commander of headquarters of the 2nd Engineering Group. Joe decided to take his time getting back to the United States and traveled throughout Southeast Asia.

Upon return from the Army, Joe finished his master's in geology and married his first wife, Elizabeth Guest, while living in Massachusetts. Joe was working at the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources but his passion for wooden boats could not be denied so he moved to Virginia to learn wooden boat building intimately. Joe and his wife decided to move back to the Northeast and settled on Boothbay, Maine, a place they had stayed while on their honeymoon. Joe took a position at Chet Rittall’s boatyard in Boothbay Harbor before taking over the helm at Sample's Shipyard where he spent his boatbuilding career, some 30+ years. He was the mainstay of the yard, continuing to be yard manager through five different owners. He gained his wealth of knowledge from hands on experience and his aptitude could not be denied. He loved to share his knowledge with the team. Among his favorite projects were the Victory Chimes and the Bounty, the latter of which he became dear friends with the captain and his wife.

Joe’s second marriage was to the love of his life and soul mate, Ruthie. His love for her was palpable. There was never a time you did not see them smiling and laughing when they were together. His deep love did not stop there. He was a loving, kind, honorable and devoted father and son. He was the mastermind behind a beautiful 100th birthday celebration for his mother this past May.

Joe enjoyed any type of woodworking, it was not solely wooden boats. In fact he built the home that he raised his family in and had recently started making his own wooden folk art. Sailing was something that he always wanted to do more of, often telling his family, “it’s a good sailing wind out there.” He was most happy with Ruth by his side while they enjoyed road trips, bird watching, antiquing, trying different foods and just sitting home enjoying life together. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Joseph Zigmund Jackimovicz, stepfather William Smith and grandson Liam Lewis.

He leaves behind his mother Valerie Smith of Boothbay; wife, Ruth (Day) Jackimovicz of Boothbay; son, Alex Jackimovicz of Boothbay Harbor and grandson Adam; daughter, Kara (Jackimovicz) Roach and spouse Mary, and grandson Elliot of Cumberland, Maine; stepson, Justin Lewis and spouse Amy Williams of Boothbay; stepson, Clint Lewis and spouse Tarrah, and grandchildren Mya and Carmela of Walkerton, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, 250 Brackett Street, Portland, Maine 04102. Services will be held at noon on Friday, Jan. 13 at Halls Funeral Home in Boothbay. Light reception to follow.