Jim McQuaide “BLOB”, 86, resident of Silver City, NM died in his sleep on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from complications of End Stage Renal disease.

Jim spent his career as an Architect in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Maine.  When he retired from Architecture, he spent some years as an interior yacht designer for Chuck Payne in Camden, Maine.  He was well known as the Volunteer Founder of the Discovery Boat Building Program at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, Maine, teaching 8th graders how to build wooden boats.   He loved doing this! Along with this he built half models and produced line drawings.    His love of wooden boats was seen in everything he did. This past year he built several pieces of furniture and has been adding to his model airplanes hanging in the office. 

Another love of his was singing Baritone in Barbershop quartets and choruses which he did for over 40 years. Being a member of the NorEasters chorus in Maine for a good many years was a delight for him. He even had a barbershop quartet going here in Silver City! In Silver City he was an active member of the Gila Friends Meeting which meant a lot to him. And he was very active with Silver City Community Theatre.  You might have seen him in his last performance as the “Guard” in 12 Angry Jurors.   He had fun doing that part and he looked tough! He also built himself 2 Native American flutes and participated in the Native American Flute Group in Silver City.

When he was able, he loved playing Pickleball, but lately you could just see him riding his mobility scooter around, especially at the Cat Walk.

Jim leaves his wife, Phyllis, of 33 years; a son, Michael McQuaide; and a daughter, Karen McQuaide, and her spouse, Dan. He also leaves his step son, Andrew Haines, and his wife, Kristina; and step daughter, Stefanie Haines and her husband, Dave.  He leaves his grandsons Evan Bell, Aaron Bell and Sam Haines and his grand daughter, Alexandra Haines. Also, he leaves his “adoptive” Korean son, Namsoo Lee and his wife, Johanna and their 3 children.   He leaves, too, his “adoptive” Korean daughter, Miyoung Lee and her husband, David and their 2 children.  On the East Coast, he leaves his dear nephews, Kurt and Karl Strohmeyer and their spouses and his brother-in-law, Bob Strohmeyer, along with many cousins. Last but not least he leaves many good friends in both Silver City, NM and Maine.

A celebration of his life will be happening the end of August in Silver City and in Maine in the Fall.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James P. McQuaide III, please visit our floral store.