James H. Nanos, 88, of Ashland, MA passed away peacefully at home in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 20, 2018. James was born in Portland, Maine on October 26, 1929 to parents Harry and Fotene (Dolos) Nanos from Politsani, Greece. He is survived by his wife Helen (Georgenes) Nanos, sister Viola Conti of Windham, ME; daughter Floreen Knight and her husband, Harry, of Walpole, MA; son Harry Nanos and his wife, Lauren, of Ashland, MA; daughter Anita Tsiagras of Ashland and grandchildren Jocelyn Sullivan and her husband, Edward, of Walpole; Jennifer Krohn and her husband, Scott, of Phoenix, AZ; Melanie and Andrea Nanos and George and Helen Tsiagras of Ashland; numerous nieces and nephews. Also has three great-grandchildren including Owen and Declan Sullivan and baby Charlotte Krohn.

James was predeceased by sisters Marion Casey and Connie Regios of Portland and their husbands; nephews George Ross and Andrew Regios. Also predeceased by brothers-in-law Nicholas and Charles Georgenes and their wives and brother-in-law Fred Conti.

James grew up in Portland and graduated from Deering High School and Portland Junior College. As a young man, he helped his parents in the Quality Shop on Stevens Avenue and then, at age 18, owned and operated Dryco Hardware Store at Woodford's Corner for 15 years.  James served in the Naval Reserve during the Korean War and was stationed in Boston and Norfolk, VA. Married in October of 1953, James eventually decided to sell his business and move his young family to Boston, where he studied business at Boston University and later Babson College. After graduating, he was immediately employed by Decatur Hopkins Bigelow & Dowse and quickly rose to senior management, installing one of the first business computer systems of its time. James was a driven and hard-working businessman, entrepreneur and landlord until his retirement in 1990, owning a Dollar Rent-A-Car franchise, an apartment complex in Lowell, all while holding various management positions at Grossman's, StrideRite Corporation, United-Carr Supply and TRW, where he was General Manager.

In addition to his successful career, James was an avid reader, computer enthusiast and lover of technology. James truly had a beautiful mind. He was a natural leader who could not ignore a problem he saw around him. James had an ability to fix anything and was a great teacher to his grandchildren. From his early years in Portland until he became ill, James owned a boat (with each one getting bigger in succession) and enjoyed many happy days boating with his family. During retirement, he and Helen took lovely vacations to the Caribbean, Italy, Greece, England and The Netherlands.

James's life story was truly a love story which began the moment he met the young Helen Georgenes at a church picnic in Portland, Maine. They were inseparable for 64 blissful years. In everything, Jim was Captain and Helen was First Mate as they navigated their way together over the ocean and over the waves of life. They could face anything, do anything, so long as they were together. In Jim's later years, they faced his long battle with Parkinson's Disease together and never spent one day apart, despite numerous hospitalizations. The power of their love kept Jim fighting to live. He was courageous right to the end.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the numerous aides who assisted in caring for Jim. Donations may be made in his memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research ( www.michaeljfox.org ) or to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday May 24 from 4:00 to 7:00PM at John A. Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main Street, Ashland. Funeral will be held on Friday at 10:00AM at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown Street, Weston, with internment at Edgell Grove Cemetery, 53 Grove Street, Framingham.