James Stuart Dimond Jr.
James Stuart Dimond Jr., 69, died July 12, 2010 at his home in Melbourne Beach, Fla., surrounded by his loving family. He fought a long and valiant battle against cancer. He had moved from Greenfield, Mass., in 2007.
Mr. Dimond was born June 8, 1941, in Nashua, N.H., to the late Rita and J. Stuart Dimond, Sr. He graduated from Bishop Bradley High School, Manchester, N.H., in 1959.
Mr. Dimond discovered a life-long passion in 1964, when he joined the then-dominant Boston & Maine Railroad as a fireman – a position that no longer exists on locomotives. He worked his way up the ranks, and even served, for a time, as the northeastern representative for the railroad. His first love, though, was driving the train and teaching new engineers the locomotives. He went back on the line and retired from his 41-year career as a Locomotive Engineer for Amtrak in 2005.
His passion for life and optimism shone through off the railroad as well. He loved riding his Harley Davidson, and sharing the thrill of the open road with friends and family. His children and their friends fondly remember riding on the back of that black and white, full-dressed bike. Inquisitive and generous by nature, his travels nurtured in him a deep appreciation for his country. He loved meeting new people wherever he was, and appreciated the uniqueness of spirit of each and every one. He was always ready with a kind word, a helping hand, and a great story.
He loved Country music, dancing, long walks, working out, Tae Kwan Do, and had a particular affection for nature and animals.
Survivors include his wife of 18 years, Michelle Couture, children from his first marriage with Sandra Nichols, Debra Noel of Fredericksburg, Va., James Dimond, 3rd, of Nashua, N.H., and Wendy (Chuck) Beach of Ferndale, Wash.; four children from his second marriage with Martha Ballou, Jessica (Manny) Papamarkakis of Mt. Holly Springs, PA., Jody (Chris) DiNicola of Pittsfield, Mass., Cathy Beth Dimond of Tucson, Ariz., and Mark Dimond of Greenfield, Mass.; and 3 stepchildren, Chris, Jamie (Virginia), and Keri Thornton of Mass.; his sister Joanbeth (Alexander) Gurskis of Nashua, N.H., his three brothers, Rod (Terri) Diamond of Plymouth, N.H., Dennis (Teri) Dimond of Manchester, N.H., and John (Barbara) Diamond of Thornton, N.H.; 11 grandchildren, one great granddaughter, two aunts, one uncle, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He will be profoundly missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to The Melanoma Research Foundation www. melanoma.org, or The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.
After Glow
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun, Of happy memories that I leave when this life is done.