James H. Trafton

James H. Trafton of Stuart, Florida and formerly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire died on September 30, 2014 at the age of 80. He passed following a long and heroic battle with Parkinson's disease with his loving wife of twenty years by his side. James was born in Portsmouth, NH on October 18, 1933 the son of the late Herbert and Mary (Cody) Pennington Trafton. Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School and attended several community colleges studying Travel and Tourism. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1950 through 1953 earning the Army Occupation Medal(Germany). Jim was an active member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Club. Throughout the years, he owned and operated several very successful breakfast and lunch restaurants in New Hampshire. Jim loved nature and never missed a chance to explore New Hampshire and Maine and hiked extensively throughout the White Mountains with his wife and family. He was an avid golfer and a previous member of the Portsmouth Country Club in New Hampshire and the Martin County Golf Club in Stuart, Florida. Retirement offered Jim sunshine with extended warm winters in Florida and also time surrounded by his friends and family at his summer home in Rochester, NH. Jim loved to travel and did so extensively through Europe exploring the countryside and the Caribbean enjoying snorkeling and sight seeing. His favorite things to do were making new friends and of course enjoying "a cold one" while celebrating life. He leaves behind the love of his life Patricia (Young) Trafton whom he met through their shared love of dancing, after an incredible fairy tail romance they were married on December 29, 1995. Along with his wife, his family members include four stepsons, Thomas Scott of Suffolk, VA, Michael Scott of Dover, NH, Bryant Scott of Strafford, NH, Robert Scott and spouse Bonnie of Shapleigh, Maine, step grandchildren Derek Scott, Jenna and Beth Tanguay. He is also survived by his sister Rosalie Powell of Greenland, NH who he cherished deeply and several wonderful nieces and nephews. Jim is predeceased by his brothers Richard and William Pennington and Herbert Trafton. A memorial service will be held Saturday October 25 at 1:30pm in the chapel of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St, Rochester, NH In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Parkinson's Foundation.