James "Jim" Gardner

James Arthur “Jim” Gardner (Lt. Col. USAF, Ret.), 98, died Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at home in Hudson NH, surrounded by his loving family. A decorated World War II veteran, he served the United States in the Navy, Coast Guard and US Air Force. He was born November 27, 1925, in Washington D.C., son of the late Frederick and Mary (Reed) Gardner. Jim was husband to the late Rose (DeFranco) Gardner, with whom he shared 72 years of marriage. Jim enlisted in 1943 directly from high school into the U.S. military, beginning a career of active and reserve duty and civilian service for the Navy, Coast Guard and US Air Force spanning five decades. During his service, he saw action in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Vietnam War and was recalled to service during the Cuban missile crisis. Jim flew more than 11,800 hours as a pilot and command pilot, and thousands more as an enlisted crew member. After retirement from active service, Jim was a logistician in the Air Force’s Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) program, representing both U.S. and NATO interests. A mainstay in his church and community, Jim was a life member of the Knights of Columbus (4th Degree), American Legion Post 48, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5791, Reserve Officers Association, Commemorative Air Force, and Air Force Association (AFA). He and his wife Rose traveled with their trailer all over the Unites States, and they were able to visit many relatives and military friends around the country. Jim was involved for many years with the Hudson Seniors, and was a Eucharistic Minister, most recently with St. John XXIII Parish in Hudson. Jim Gardner’s loving family includes one son and three daughters: Dr. James A. Gardner, II, and his wife Dr. Jennifer L. Gardner of Sudbury, MA; Angela G. Murphy and her husband Jim Murphy, of Nashville, TN; Dr. Mary E. Gardner of Springfield, MA; and Rose Larson and her husband Bill Larson of Attleboro, MA; eight grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Mary Mazzie, brother-in-law Charles DiFranco and his wife Anne of Bedford, NH; and sisters-in-law Marie DiFranco and Mary “Mickey” DeFranco, as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers; Neil Gardner and Fred Gardner, and was brother-in-law to the late Carmelo DeFranco, Paul DiFranco, Sam DeFranco, Ann Farinelli, Joesph DiFranco and Dorothy Firl. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, July 24th from 4 pm-7pm in the DUMONT-SULLIVAN FUNERAL HOME, 50 FERRY ST., HUDSON, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July25th at 10am in St. Kathryn’s Catholic Church, 4 Dracut Road. in Hudson, NH. All may please meet at the church. Burial will be at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 DW Hwy in Boscawen, NH, at 2:00 pm that same day. All may please meet at the cemetery. The Mass of Christian Burial in St. Kathryns Church will be live-streamed. Please use the following link to join us on Thursday, July 25th at 10:00am. www.stkathryns.org In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made in Jim’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org or the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org Those choosing to send floral arrangements are asked please refrain from including lilies as there is an allergy concern.

James "Jim" Gardner

November 27, 1925 - July 16, 2024