SOUTH PORTLAND – James D. Wiles, 77, passed away suddenly on March 1, 2021 at his home with his family by his side, after struggling with Scleroderma. He was born April 5, 1943 in Lewiston.

He was predeceased by his parents, Chester and Mary Wiles of Cumberland Center, and is survived by his three younger sisters, Lou Wiles, Richard and Patricia Burke and Barbara Tevault.

He attended Greeley High School, class of 1961 and graduated as president of his class from Southern Maine Community College. He married his high school sweetheart, Judith Pettengill, and they shared an amazing life together and were happily married for 57 years.

After working for AT&T, he moved on to a gratifying and successful career at IBM for 39 years. His job enabled the family to live in many places up and down the east coast, but he always called Maine his home. The moves usually occurred after he added some addition or major renovations to the houses he resided, as one of his hobbies was flipping homes.

Jim really enjoyed any “man” time he could get, especially with his sons-in-law and all 10 grandchildren. He was easy going, a jack of all trades with a big heart. His family meant the world to him and he and Judy did not miss an opportunity to be part of all family events. He proudly wore his CAPTAIN’s hat, but family always knew who was in charge.

He was a devoted father and grandfather to his four surviving daughters and their families, Pamela and Ronald Burt of Windham, and their sons, James, Travis and Zachary; Deborah and Timothy Bilodeau of Cumberland Center and their shared children, Josh, TJ, Amy and Samantha; Kimberly and Todd Szewczyk of Hollis, N.H. and their children, Lindsey, Kyle and Brian; and Julie and Jeffrey Beecher of South Portland and their children, Sydney and Alex.

Jim will be missed and remembered immensely by his family and friends. In light of the current pandemic, his family wishes to postpone a Mass and gathering until a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of Southern Maine or to the Scleroderma Foundation.