MILLINOCKET – James Anthony “Beaver” Wentworth, 69, died Oct. 22, 2012, surrounded by loving family members at a Bangor hospital. He was born Aug. 14, 1943, in Davenport, Iowa, son of George “Coach” Wentworth and Hilda (Nelson) Wentworth.

Beaver grew up in Millinocket at 355 Katahdin Ave., where many backyard basketball games were fought. Graduating from Stearns High School with the class of 1961, he went on to attain his Bachelor of Business Administration at St. Anselm’s in New Hampshire. Beaver was a salesman extraordinaire, working for Met Life, Bangor, in his early career and then working for insurance companies in both Florida and South Carolina, before his retirement to Millinocket. Always an avid sports fan who attended every possible sporting event, Beaver was the founder of Stearns ZOO CREW, managed Beaver’s Belter’s softball team, and later umpired games for his son’s team. A giving, generous person, Beaver loved life and people, especially enjoying the many Levesque family gatherings. He was a devoted member of Christ the Divine Mercy Parish and was a fourth degree Knight of Columbus at St. Martin’s Council No. 680, Millinocket.

Beaver is survived by his wife of 37 years and the love of his life, Rosalie (Levesque) Wentworth of Millinocket; pride and joy, son, Ryan and fiancee, Amanda Lovitt, of Denver; brothers, Thomas Wentworth and wife, Nancy, of Falmouth, and Joseph Wentworth and wife, Jane, of Nova Scotia; brother-in-law, Bill Levesque and wife, Pat, of Millinocket; sisters-in-law, Jane Taylor and husband, Harley, of Winthrop, Patsy Krikorian and husband, Stephen, of Belgrade, and Sherry Levesque of Winthrop; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his parents.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish at St. Martin’s Catholic Church, 19 Colby St., Millinocket, where friends are invited to visit with the family 10 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of James may be sent to George and Hildred Wentworth Scholarship, care of Stearns High School, 199 State St., Millinocket, ME 04462 or Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462. Arrangements by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket. Messages of condolence may be expressed at

www.lamsonfh.com.