He was born Sept. 22, 1953, in Biddeford, a son of Steve M. and Jeanne (Labonte) Gendron.
He attended Biddeford Schools and was a graduate of Biddeford High School. James studied mechanics at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, and also earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern Maine. He served in the U.S. Navy. Through the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard apprentice program, he learned welding, and worked there for eight years.
In 1988, he married Susan Dubois at the Goodwin’s Mills Baptist Church in Lyman.
For 35 years, he was an automotive technician with local dealerships. His most recent employment was with Berlin City, from which he retired in 2012 due to illness.
James enjoyed music; he played the piano, trumpet and guitar. Auto body work and mechanics were his hobbies as well as his livelihood.
He is survived by: his wife of 27 years, Susan Gendron of Lyman; a daughter, Darci Libby and her husband Daniel of Harrisburg, North Carolina; a son, Jesse Gendron and his wife Michelle of Waterboro; a brother, Steve Gendron and his wife Charlene of Lyman; a half-brother, Maurice Gendron and his wife Margaret of Foley, Alabama; a half-sister, Susan, of California; grandchildren Cameron, Sophia, Brianna and Jordan; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 28, at Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford. To share condolences online, please visit www.hopememorial.com.
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