NAPLES, Fla. — James J. Jordan, 84, of Cape Elizabeth and Naples, Fla., died April 14 in Naples from complications of a stroke.

On Nov. 6, 1925, he was born in Hartford, Conn., to Ernest F. and Florence Jordan.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy and took part in the Battle of Okinawa.

He later graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in insurance.

In 1951 he relocated to Maine and married Barbara Hallihan the following year.

For 25 years he worked at Aetna Life and Casualty Co. In 1976 he was elected president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Saco, a position he held until he retired 1987. In 1986, he co-founded Casco Indemnity Co., and served as its first chairman and CEO.

Through the years, he was active in numerous community organizations, including Boy Scouts, Lion’s Club, and served on the boards of Thornton Academy, the Portland Water District, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Commissioners and Goodwill Industries.

A friendly and outgoing man, he had a zest for life and loved parties and celebrations. 

His lifelong passion was sailing. He got his first sail boat at age 12.  In 1974 he was Commodore of the Centerboard Yacht Club, where he kept his boats, Six Pack, Gusto, Jubilee and Last Out. He enjoyed cruising Casco Bay and spent most weekend summer afternoons in Diamond Cove.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Barbara E. Jordan; six children and their spouses, Christine Harrison and husband Larry of Dallas, Texas, Kathleen A. Cassidy and husband Benjamin of Alexandria, Va., James J. Jordan, Jr., and wife Marguerite of Darien, Conn., Jeffrey F. Jordan and fiancee Stella Folsom of South Portland, Julie Jordan Farnsworth and husband Peter of Cape Elizabeth, and Jennifer Jordan Dumas and husband James of Lewiston; nine grandchildren, Alanna Cassidy Onken of San Antonio, Texas, Benjamin Jordan Cassidy of Washington, DC, Caroline E. Cassidy of Cordoba, Spain, James J. Jordan, III and Meredith B. Jordan of Darien, Conn., Theodore Jordan Farnsworth of Cape Elizabeth, James R. Dumas, Jared R. Dumas, and Jazlyn E. Dumas of Lewiston; a brother, Ernest F. Jordan, Jr., and his wife Joan of Windsor Locks, Conn., and his sister Noreen E. Jordan of Rockville, Conn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held Thursday, April 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home on Cottage Road in South Portland.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, April 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at hobbsfuneralhome.com.

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