Rev. James G. Todd (STH’61)
This obituary was originally published The Eagle Tribune and can be found here.
North Andover – The Reverend James George Todd, Jim, Grampa T, Uncle Jim, Mr T—man of many names—a man who loved his family and friends. He was born to Aileen (Averill) and George Dougwillo in Nashua, NH, on December 20, 1936, raised in Lawrence by his mother and step-father, William A. Todd. Jim, surrounded by his family, died Sunday, April 3, from Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, age 85, at Brightview Senior Living, North Andover. He is survived by his wife, Mary Todd of North Andover; and children Jeff Todd of Boston, Steve and Katy Todd of North Andover, Julie Todd of Lawrence; grandchildren Becky and Mike Kurtz of Weymouth, and Matthew Todd of Portland, Maine; sisters Cecelia Wrobel of Deland, Florida, Averill Blatchford of Lawrence, and Elizabeth Bibeau of Methuen; cousin Charles Dougwillo of 29 Palms, California, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim graduated from Lawrence High School in 1954, Union College (Barbourville, KY—where his classmates voted him “Mr. Union”) in 1958, and Boston University School of Theology and was ordained as a United Methodist pastor in 1961. He touched thousands of lives through various forms of ministry. Jim served United Methodist churches in Swampscott, Dorchester, Lynn, North Andover, North Reading, and Cuttyhunk. He served as the Director of Rolling Ridge United Methodist Conference Center in North Andover for 11 years, and was the District Superintendent of the Metro Boston North District for six years.
Jim had a passion for social justice. His compassionate heart extended to young people in need and a life-long commitment to anti-racism and peace activism. He worked towards the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in the church, and spent countless hours on the streets protesting the invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq with the Merrimack Valley People for Peace. He is remembered for his warm hospitality, welcoming the stranger, his gentle and loving ways, and his sermons reminding us that we are required to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
Jim’s final act of service was donating his body to the Boston University School of Medicine for medical education and research, 617-358-2105.
Jim’s love for music included drumming, dancing, and being a DJ for youth groups, nursing homes, community events, and dances that raised thousands of scholarship dollars for youth to go to summer camps. His love for the outdoors included camping, skiing in Tuckerman’s Ravine area, and mountain climbing with family and friends including week-long backpacking trips for youth and adults. Known as a keen basketball player since his days at the Lawrence YMCA, he also coached in the Andover Church Basketball League, played third base for Rolling Ridge in the North Andover Softball League, and loved cornhole and racquetball.
His family remembers him for yard sales, trash-picking, enjoying ice cream, playing pinochle, and regifted Christmas presents wrapped specially chosen recycled comics from the newspaper.
Jim’s celebration of life will be Saturday, April 23, at 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, 57 Peters St., North Andover. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rolling Ridge Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA 01845 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.