New London, NH – James (Jim) Archibald Granger, 94, passed away on December 9, 2025 at New London Hospital. A New London native and life-long resident, Jim was born on February 23, 1931, the son of Clarence Burns and Ruth Elizabeth (Pingree) Granger. He graduated in 1949 from New London High School and served in the US Army from 1952 – 1954. He earned an Associate Degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, in Architectural Construction in 1956. He returned to New London and worked with his father at the family construction firm of C.B. Granger & Son, taking over the company at his father’s retirement. Years later he established J.A.G. Construction and continued in the building trade until his retirement in his late-seventies.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, sisters and brothers-in-law Mary and Anthony Leahy and Marguerite and Phillip DeLuca. He is survived by his children James C. Granger (Bonnie), Ellen Coffin (Wayne), Suzanne Lamphere (Stanley) and William Granger (Annette), his sister Mabel Baker (James), daughter-in-law Crystal Granger and cousins Larry Rowe and Laura Davis with whom he lived for the past 9 years. His surviving family also includes 4 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Jim’s community involvement defines who he was as a neighbor, friend, business associate, and volunteer. At age 26 he joined King Solomon’s Lodge #14 and during his 68 years as a Mason he held every office in the organization, serving as Master in 1964. He was a member of the New London Fire Department for 37 years, which included a term on the Board of Fire Engineers and several years as the Assistant Fire Chief. Jim was a long-standing member of the New London Boys Club, receiving the Beall Award in 1997 in recognition of his “good fellowship and service to his fellowmen”. As owner of his construction business, Jim often hired young people who were interested in making carpentry their careers; several local contractors learned their trade or honed their skills while working for Jim. His volunteer spirit also led him to help with neighborhood projects. Donating a section of his land on Bunker Road, he and the neighbors built a baseball field, complete with backboard, for his children and their friends so they could play ball close to home. Family and friends remember the many times he helped out in a crisis, no matter how large or small. The New London Service Organization recognized Jim’s contributions to the community with the Third of a Century Award in 2002.
At heart, Jim was an outdoorsman. In his younger years, he spent many happy hours hunting and fishing with friends, and especially with his cousin Lewis (Duke) Rowe. He had a family maple sugaring operation at a time when tapping trees meant tromping through snow to collect the sap and staying up late in the sugar house boiling it to make syrup. One of his many talents was his gardening skill. He planted wonderful vegetable and flower gardens and spent summer evenings working among his plants. Eggplants and tomatoes were planted in pots near the entry door, where they flourished. He would grab a handful of cherry tomatoes as he passed by, but the eggplant was planted for its beauty rather than its taste.
Jim lived his life as an honest, caring individual with a quick sense of humor and an incredible work ethic. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing him is better off for his presence in their lives. He will be sorely missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the late spring. Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to King Solomon’s Lodge #14, PO Box 295, Elkins, NH 03233-0295, Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, or a charity of one’s choice.
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