By Danielle Ray, Senior Reporter
James D. Temple, who was affectionately called Jimmy by his family, friends, and those who knew him, died suddenly on February 24 at 61 years old.
Jimmy grew up on Redstone Hill Road and lived in Sterling his entire life. He passed away at home, and his brother Bob Temple said the cause of death is still undetermined.
“Sterling police came by the Legion (post) that afternoon and notified me,” Bob Temple said, adding that his reaction to the news was one of “shock and sadness.”
Jimmy was born in Clinton to the late Raymond F. and Janet E. (Elliott) Temple. He graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational High School and worked as a custodian in the elementary and middle schools in Sterling for more than 20 years.
He was a member of the Eight Point Sportsmen’s Club, Sterling Grange, Sterling Fire Department for more than two decades, and the Hiram O. Taylor squadron of the Sons of the American Legion for 50 years, for whom he participated in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades and observances each year. Jimmy enjoyed participating in the Wachusett Fireman’s Muster for many years, playing pitch at the Hiram O. Taylor American Legion Post 189 hall on School St., and following the Boston Red Sox.
Bob Temple said he misses seeing his brother out and about.
“He was always round, you never knew where you would see him,” Bob Temple said. “It is different.”
In addition to being a staple at the Memorial and Veterans day parades in town, Jimmy was an active and regular participant at town events, programs, and celebrations. Although he was not a veteran like his brother Bob Temple, Jimmy was a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion.
Condolences for the Temple family poured out in response to the news of Jimmy passing.
“So sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing so many great memories of our good friends the Temples praying for you all for comfort and God’s peace,” former longtime neighbor Margaret Andrejczyk wrote on February 27 in the Miles Funeral Home obituary page.
A Feb. 27 post in the Sterling MA Community Page on Facebook garnered dozens of comments and reactions.
“So sad……heartfelt condolences to all the Temple family,” wrote town resident Nancy Castagna, who grew up with Jimmy and went to school with him. “Jimmy will be missed.”
Castagna said she knew Jimmy her whole life.
“It’s a very strange feeling that he is no longer here,” she said. “He was an original Sterlingite that everyone knew.”
First Church in Sterling Pastor Bartlett wrote about a fond memory she has of Jimmy.
“I could always see the twinkle in his eyes even if his smile was hidden under his mask as he helped me put the chairs away every Sunday on the common this summer,” she penned. “God bless you Earl, Barbara, Marj, Robert, and Bev. First Church has been praying for you, and remembering Jimmy with love.”
Jim is survived by his brother Robert (Bob) E. Temple and his wife Cindy, brother Earl W. Temple and wife Debbie, sisters Barbara DeStefano, Marjorie Johnson and Beverly Temple, sister-in-law Jeanette Temple, and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his brother Donald Temple, and his brother-in-law Jeffrey Johnson.
A private burial service will be held at a later date in Hillside Cemetery in Sterling. Memorial contributions may be made to Epilepsy Foundation New England, 650 Suffolk Street #405, Lowell, MA 01854, or the Hiram O. Taylor Post 189 Sons of the American Legion, P.O. Box 245, Sterling, MA, 01564.
CREDIT: Danielle Ray