James “Jim” McGuiggan died peacefully in his sleep early Thursday morning at The Hill House in Bath. He made his residence there for the past year. Jim was born in Bath, the son of John and Margaret McGuiggan. He grew up in Bath and graduated from Morse High School in the class of 1939. He met the love of his life, Priscilla Stover while skating on Goddard’s Pond, and the two went on to have five children together, Linda, James, Daniel, Gerald and Lloyd (Duke).

He began his career at the age of 16, and became an apprentice machinist at Hyde Windlass Co. He entered the U.S. Army and was stationed in Fort Walters, Texas. He was discharged in 1946. 

He went on to be employed by Bath Iron Works as a maintenance/machinist until his retirement in 1988.  Although retired, he hardly stopped working. He was a volunteer instructor at the Maine Maritime Museum's eighth-grade boatbuilding program for 30-plus years. 

He received an award for his dedication and commitment to the program, where he often made special tools and equipment for the kids. He was also known for his work helping the local fisherman by straightening propeller shafts and lending his talents wherever they were needed.

In his later years, he was most well known for his love of crafting black powder saluting cannons, a craft he went on to later teach at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin. The ceremonial lighting of the cannons was one of his greatest joys. He also invented a boatmaker’s tool, called the McGuiggan clamp, which was featured in Wooden Boat Magazine. His talent for engineering was only exceeded by his love of family and friends.

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Priscilla Stover McGuiggan; sons James and Gerald McGuiggan; sisters Marion Kelley and Geraldine Madden,  and brother Edward McGuiggan.

He is survived by his daughter Linda Carter and her husband Bob of Gray; son Daniel McGuiggan and his wife Colleen of Woolwich; and son Lloyd McGuiggan and his wife Brenda of Colton's Point, Md.; eight grandchildren, Melissa Martin, Brannon Carter, Kelli Richard, Maria McGuiggan, Ryan Gillam, John McGuiggan, Eric McGuiggan and Kerry McGuiggan; 12 great-grandchildren, and five nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held October 8 at the Desmond Funeral Home in Bath. Graveside services and a celebration of his life were held October 9.

We will forever miss his sweet face, his kind words, his strong handshake, and unending willingness to help anyone at anytime.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Maine Maritime Museum eighth-grade boatbuilding program would be greatly appreciated. To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.