Norwich, Vt. — James Rollins Southworth, formerly of Norwich and Fairlee (Lake Morey), Vt., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017. Jim was born on Jan. 19, 1929, in Springfield, Mass., the son of James and Helen (Patterson) Southworth. He grew up in Norwich and attended Norwich and Hanover schools. After serving for three years in the US Navy as a radar technician, he returned to Norwich and purchased a garage on Elm St.  He started a small TV/appliance business called “Videotronics”, which he later turned into an auto repair shop. In 1964 “Southworth’s Garage” became a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, and soon expanded to the Route 5 property as “The Car Store”. In the early ‘70s Jim brought Subaru to the Upper Valley.

Jim served the Norwich community for many years as a board of civil authority member, volunteer fireman, and lister, as well as being on various school and library committees. He was a charter member of the Norwich Lions Club and received an award for his many years of service from the Lions Club International Foundation. In 1981 he designed and helped build the family’s solar house in Norwich. He was an active member of the Norwich Historical Society.  He also supported the Fairlee Historical Society and built the wood frames for the Town of Fairlee markers. During his time in Florida he volunteered at Lee Memorial Hospital in the copy department.  

Jim always enjoyed music and entertaining others and participated in many choral groups in the Upper Valley and Florida. He sang and played the accordion and electric keyboard. In later years he traveled to senior centers and nursing homes to provide sing-alongs of favorite old tunes. He enjoyed many social activities with friends from the Norwich area, Lake Morey, Del Tura, and South Port Square. He golfed at Del Tura and Lake Morey and did an annual waterski for many years.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret (Peg) of 66 years and four children, Thomas of Dover, N.H., and Fairlee, David and wife, Amy of Shelburne, Vt., Brian and wife Kathy of Jericho, Vt., and Kathryn and husband, Steven of Canterbury, N.H. Also, he had seven grandchildren, Jeff, Lydia, Ryan, Caitlyn, Alexandra, Anders, and Malia;  four great-grandchildren, Charlie, Emma, Kiera and Moira; and nieces and nephews. He is also survived by half-siblings, Glen Southworth and wife, Jerry, Jeannie Hallmark, Barry Southworth and wife, Beth, Winthrop Southworth and wife, Jan, Faye Simard and husband, Terry, and Pamela Benjamin and husband, Tom.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held in Norwich in late June of 2018. Contributions in his memory can be made to The Norwich Lions Club (PO Box  854, Norwich, VT  05055) or The Lake Morey Foundation (PO Box 234, Fairlee, VT 05045). 

To view an online memorial and or send a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.rand-wilson.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, N.H.