Obituary: David 'D.J.' Harding James

David "D.J." Harding James, 55, of Carpenter Avenue in Attleboro died last month. He was 55.

James was born July 11, 1957 in Haverhill to Roland "Gus" A. and Meredyth James. He attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1975.

James worked as a clean room technician at Lucent Technologies in North Andover for more than 20 years. He lived in Attleboro for the past 12 years. James was an avid bicycle rider, enjoyed camping and driving his black Cadillac Eldorado. He also liked visiting friends at Honey Dew Donuts at County Square and was a Friend of Bill W. 

He was a member of the Attleboro Dog Park Committee and served as a master of ceremonies for the annual Mutt Marches. 

"He spent countless hours volunteering his time and work, and we miss him immensely," wrote co-Chair Carol Ferraro on the committee's Facebook page. "It's with a heavy heart that we write this dedication, but we take some comfort in knowing that he did get to see our dream become a reality. He opened the dog park gate to our first dog visitor on our original training day and was beaming ear to ear." 

Survivors include James' close friend Cyndy Gray of Seekonk and his extended family—Wendy and Clifford Colby of Seekonk and their children Nicholas Joseph Colby and Nathan Beau Colby as well as many local friends.

Visiting hours will take place at Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, located at 20 Peck St. in Attleboro, on Saturday Feb. 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. A funeral service will follow at St. John the Evangelist Church, located at 133 North Main St. in Attleboro. James will be laid to rest at a later date in St. Patrick Cemetery in Haverhill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his memory to the Attleboro Dog Park, c/o Park and Forestry Department, 77 Park St., Attleboro, MA 02703.