James W. MacArthur, 92, of Lee died Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Landing at Laurel Lake after a long illness. Born May 22, 1927, in New York City to the late James and Dorothy Bryan MacArthur, he attended North Binghamton in New York, graduating in 1945. After high school, he attended Boston Museum School and also Boston University. James worked as a book keeper for rare books at the Otis Country Fair Book Store, retiring in 2008. He loved cooking and spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved jazz and taught himself how to play the guitar. Mr. MacArthur had a photographic studio in Bedford and operated a campground in Penobscot, Maine, in the late 1960s. He attended the Berkshire Hills Baptist Church Delegate for the 2006 Democratic Convention, representing Otis. Mr. MacArthur married Frances Bearce in 1958. She predeceased him Aug. 10, 2002.
James is survived by his children Melissa MacArthur of Mattapan, Patricia MacArthur of North Adams, and Demetrius MacArthur of Salem; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Besides his wife and parents, James was predeceased by his son Aaron MacArthur, and sister Carol MacArthur of Great Barrington.
A celebration of the life of Mr. James W. MacArthur will be held Friday, Nov. 8, at 4:30 p.m. at the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240, with Rev. Charles Van Ausdall officiating. Calling hours will precede the service from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ memory may be made to either Hospice of Western and Central Massachusetts or the American Cancer Society, both in care of the funeral home. To share memories and stories, visit rochefuneralhome.com.
