James Russell Prew

James R. Prew, 97, was born on April 26, 1927, in Springfield, MA. His parents were Henry Louis Prew and Anna Madigan, both of Springfield, MA. Other than the French Heritage of his father, Jim grew up with the care of his mom and her family all of the Irish Heritage. Jim attended Springfield Technical High School and graduated in1944.
Jim entered the U.S. Navy in 1944 under the Officers Training Program, attending at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. Jim completed his four-year degree in three years and graduated in 1947 with a commission of English JG in the U.S. Navy. His Bachelor of Science degree was in Civil Engineering.
Upon graduation, since the war was over, he chose to be put on non-active duty and was returned home.
In 1948 Jim began his studies for priesthood and began his religious vocation with the Carmelite Fathers in Brookline, MA. He remained in the U.S. from 1948 thru 1952 studying Philosophy and Theology. In 1953 the order sent Jim to the “Holy Land” to complete his studies. Jim continued with his studies on Mt. Carmel and was ordained as Father Damian Prew of the Carmelite Order at Mt. Carmel in 1956.
Jim’s father, Henry Prew, attended Jim’s ordination at Mt. Carmel in Haifa Israel. Upon Ordination, Jim was honored, held by few, in celebrating Mass at the Holy Places as Church of Annunciation of Nazareth, Church of the Transfiguration at Mt. Tabor, Church of the Holy Sepluchre and Calvary, and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
Jim returned to the U.S. in 1957 to serve in the Carmelite Order, in several parishes in Milwaukee, N.Y. State, Washington, DC and Boston, MA, through 1968.
In 1968, after much contemplation, Jim chose to leave the Order to begin work in private industry. Jim worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston, MA for 10 years, specializing in Loss Prevention.
In 1978 Jim left the insurance industry and eventually became self-employed in 1979 operating an antique business. During 1978 due to Jim’s background in Civil Engineering, plus his love of art and architecture he owned and restored two antique homes in Randolph and Plimpton, MA. He enjoyed purchasing period furniture in the Shaker style and subsequently with his prior education he began making custom furniture for his clients. He always used vintage wood, and all crafting was done by hand. Jim had restored two more houses in Danvers, Ma and Limerick, ME.
Jim began his antique business in 1979, buying and selling antique furniture at antique shows and conventions in Boston and Brimfield, MA and locations in Maine and Connecticut.
In 1985 Jim was introduced to Jean McQuoid through mutual friends. Jim developed a wonderful friendship with Jean, and they were married in 1989. During their years of marriage, Jean assisted Jim with his antique business, Jean passed away in 1994 after a short-term illness. Jim continued with this business through 2014.
Although he gave up his antique business in 2014, with his love of cooking, Jim made an array of jellies, jams, pickles and chutneys which he sold at local craft fairs. He enjoyed the interaction with all the customers, who became repeat customers.
Among his talents and hobbies, Jim enjoyed painting. Jim painted his first oil painting while at Dartmouth College in 1957. The painting was of a waterfall near the Connecticut River. He was amazed at the result which changed his life and opened the world of art to Jim. He continued through 2014 adept in painting in oils, watercolor and acrylics, all without any formal art training. His style was American Impressionism.
Jim enjoyed 16 years in the church choir singing for services and funerals at St. Gabriel Parish at St. Paul’s Church in Franklin, NH.
Jim was predeceased by his 2 brothers, Ed and Bob and his wife Jean.
Jim leaves his 7 nieces and nephews.
A calling hour will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass at 10:00 AM at Christ the King Church, 72 South Main St. Concord, NH. Burial with military honors will follow the service at 12:00 PM at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen.
Memorial donations in memory of Jim, may be offered to the Franklin VNA and Hospice, 75 Chestnut St., Franklin, NH 03235.