BELFAST — James R. Lovett, 65, of Belfast, Maine, died peacefully Friday, August 25, 2017 at the VA Medical Center at Togus in Augusta, Maine. Born in Washington DC on July 25, 1952, he is the son of Lillian (Bolduc) Lovett and the late James H. Lovett.

Jim spent his early childhood in Maryland and many summers in Maine at his family's camp. In 1967, he moved with his family to Maine where he graduated from York High School with the Class of 1971. He joined the US Navy in November 1971 and attended basic training in Great Lakes, IL. He actively served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.

Jim married his wife Judy on July 13, 1996 in Rockport, Maine. In March 2017, the couple renewed their vows at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Belfast, with Fr. Robert C. Vaillancourt presiding, which marked a very special occasion for them.

During his lifetime, a source of great enjoyment for Jim involved summers at camp spending time with family. He had artistic talent, enjoyed military history, New England sports, all kinds of animals and telling stories over a game of cards.

Jim was predeceased by his father, James H. Lovett. He is survived by his devoted wife, Judy Lovett of Belfast, Maine; his mother, Lillian B. Lovett of York; his sisters: Diana Williams and her husband Russell of Damariscotta Mills and Denise Lovett of York; a stepson Terry Patterson of Belfast and his children Carter and Chandler; a nephew Cooper Williams of Boulder, CO; a niece Carlyn Williams of Cambridge, MA, several aunts, uncles and many cousins.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff, nurses and doctors at EMMC and the VA Medical Center at Togus for their kind and compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate and honor Jim's life will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 81 Court Street in Belfast, Maine at 11:00am. Committal service with military honors will follow at 2:00pm at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Civic Center Drive in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made in Jim's name to the non-profit Beals Hospitality House, 1 VA Togus Road, Bldg. 2, Augusta, ME 04420 (bealshouse.org).

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.ripostafh.com.