York, ME - James Wesley New II, 83, passed away, November 30, due to complications of the COVID-19 Coronavirus and Parkinson's Disease. After contracting COVID - 19 Coronavirus, his Parkinson's Disease quickly advanced to a dangerous and fatal stage.

Jim, as he preferred to be called, was born in Childersburg, Alabama, on June 21, 1937. He graduated from Phylis Wheatley High School in Childersburg, Alabama. An excellent student in Math, Jim went on to attend Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee and graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering. He was drafted into the U.S. military for two years and spent four years in the Army Reserves.

After college, in 1960, he moved to Washington D.C. and worked for an architecture firm as a draftsman. That same winter he accepted a position as an architectural engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. He worked there for 40 years. Committed to launching other young African Americans interested in engineering careers, Jim traveled the United States to help recruit for the Shipyard. He helped the young engineers become acclimated not only to their new career but also to their new home, the homogenous communities of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine.

Jim was a loving husband to his wife Evelyn and a supportive father to his two daughters Anissa New-Walker and Dr. Tamara New. Jim and Evelyn were married for 54 years.

After raising his two daughters, travel became a part of his life. Jim enjoyed going on cruises to faraway destinations with his wife, Evelyn. The two had an excellent adventure driving across the country visiting national state parks and landmarks. Over the years, together, he and Evelyn enjoyed a fondness for indoor and outdoor gardening; he knew how to keep a meticulous lawn. He shared a love for Math with his daughter, Tamara and a love for old movies with his daughter, Anissa. Their all-time favorite was "My Fair Lady." Most of all, in his spare time, Jim loved watching sports, especially enthusiastically cheering on the New England Patriots. He also relished watching televised golf tournaments and after retirement, he took up playing golf.

As a member of First United Methodist Church of Portsmouth, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, he served on the board of trustees as treasurer and sang in the church choir. During the holidays, he loved listening to Handel's Messiah and his favorite hymn was "How Great Thou Art."

Aside from being survived by his wife, Evelyn and two daughters, Anissa (Paul Walker) and Tamara (Leonza Hudson), he leaves behind two grandchildren, Elliot Walker and Isabella New-Walker; his brother Samuel New (Gwendolyn New); his sister Juanita Witherspoon; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. He is pre-deceased by his father and mother, James and Mabel New and his sister Elizabeth Baker.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the family will hold a private graveside ceremony, Friday, December 4, 2020. The family is asking for donations in Jim's honor go to Maine Parkinson's Society www.maineparkinsonsociety.org, phone:
207-992-9978, American Parkinson's Disease Association www.apdaparkinson.org, phone: 800-223-2732 or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org