James “Jim” Bean of Wolfeboro, NH, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Sunday, July 5, 2026 after a decades-long struggle with cancer. Born in Wolfeboro on August 7, 1958, to Howard Bean, Sr. and Nancy Bean, Jim lived a life of adventure, selflessness, and deep devotion to his family.

A 1976 graduate of Kingswood Regional High School, Jim was an accomplished athlete. He played baseball, ran cross-country, and was a four-event skier. His baseball and skiing athletics continued throughout college with the addition of soccer. He graduated from NHTI in 1978 with an Associates of Engineering in Electronic Engineering Technology. After graduation, he and his brother, Howie, formed a successful canoeing duo, racing competitively throughout the Northeast.

He began his career working with his father and brother at the Wolfeboro Oil Company. While on call during cold winter nights, he’d often sleep in his uniform so he could respond quickly to help someone who’d lost their heat. Jim eventually transitioned to running his own electrical business. As a skilled and thoughtful carpenter, he built canoes, bridges for a trail he dedicated to his wife, a garden shed for his sister, and the house where he raised his family.

Jim was a humble man, and dedicated much of his life to giving back to the community. He coached soccer, skiing, and baseball, and spent many hours at Foss Field umpiring and lining the field for little league games. He was a steward of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust, volunteered to build playgrounds and recreational venues, and was especially devoted to building public trails across the town of Wolfeboro.

When he was in good health, he was always outside keeping busy. He enjoyed chasing his kids to various competitions around the state of New Hampshire, and later the country to support their outdoor endeavors, often wielding home-made gingerbread cookies. He liked creating space for his maple trees to flourish, and put out about 150 taps each spring. He was invested in various wildlife conservation projects around his property, usually accompanied by the family dog, Penny.

His memory will be cherished by his wife of 29 years, Liz; his children Matthew, Sarah, and Allison; siblings Kathleen Bean of Hampton, NH, Patricia Allen and her husband Larry, of Bellingham, WA, Howie Bean of Wolfeboro, and Marianne Lucy and her husband Nat, of North Conway, NH; and many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Howard Bean, Sr. and Nancy Bean; and sister-in-law, Jennifer Caldwell.

Services to honor Jim’s beautiful life will be held at Lord Funeral Home, 23 Club Lane, Wolfeboro, NH, on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 40 Hidden Springs Road, Alton, NH, on Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception at The Inn on Main, 200 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH.

Lord Funeral Home of Wolfeboro, NH will be assisting the family with arrangements. If you wish to express a condolence or leave a fond memory please visit, www.lordfuneralhome.com.