James Patrick ShieldsScarborough, Maine

James Patrick Shields, of Scarborough, Maine, spent his career as a successful statistician but still managed to live an adventure every day. Sadly, James passed away unexpectedly on August 28, 2026. He was 65.

James always met the world with wonder and curiosity. He loved the stars and the rivers, the ocean and the long backroads where he toured on his bicycle. With an infectious joy, he shared his fascinations with his family, his many friends, and with hundreds of young people in southern Maine.

James was Linda’s beloved husband. Their children, Madeline and Benjamin, were James’s favorite reasons to learn something new.

James learned how to ride a unicycle when Madeline did – and he loved it so much he often went on rides during his lunch break from work. He even competed at several competitions sponsored by the North American Unicycling Competition and Convention.

James engineered kites and rockets and trebuchets to build with children as part of a Chinese heritage program his children attended. The kites became a passion. Long before drones became popular, he ran point-and-shoot cameras up a kite string and took stunning photos from the air of coastal Maine, sharing them online through his “Nearly Vertical” website.

James was a beloved scout leader for Benjamin’s Boy Scout Troop 47. He led backcountry canoe and camping trips. He and Benjamin took a canoe trip together in Wisconsin in July, and his last canoe outing was on August 15th in Scarborough Marsh. He joked that he was scouting for the great white sharks off Pine Point.

A lifelong cyclist, James was most proud that as a teenager he rode alone from northern New York to Bar Harbor, Maine. In June of this year, he made what turned out to be his final solo ride from Buffalo to Albany, New York. Along the way, he posted updates online about the people he met and the coffee he made over campfires.

James was a very caring man. One of his greatest joys was getting to know other people. His adventurous energy and vigorous curiosity were contagious. Because he gave so generously of his talents, he was a much relied upon and adored volunteer at CAFAM’s Chinese School, Girl Scout Troop 1310, and The Gym Dandies Children Circus. Sharing his professional telescope, he led Star Parties for the state parks in Maine, for the Girl Scouts of Maine Astronomy Club, and for the Scarborough Land Trust. He was an expert skier and could teach anyone to ski. In all his endeavors, he made lasting friendships.

Born on April 20, 1961, in Flint, Michigan, James was the second child of Sara Lou and John Shields. His formative years were spent in Potsdam, New York, where he graduated high school and also earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics at SUNY Potsdam. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Statistics from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. During his thirty-year career, he was a statistician for Donnelly Marketing, Lands’ End, L.L. Bean, IDEXX, WEX and TD Bank.

He met Linda at Lands’ End. Soon after they married, he accepted a job with L.L. Bean, and they moved to Scarborough, in August 2001. It was there they raised their children. James had recently retired and had many plans for his future. In fact, James woke up with a plan for each and every day.

James Shields will be sorely missed but will be forever remembered for the love and light that he brought into so many lives – through his silly sense of humor, through his generosity, and through the stars he charted in the night sky.

James was predeceased by his father, John Shields, and his sister, Kelly Cusano. He is survived by his wife, Linda Faber-Shields, his daughter, Madeline, and his son, Benjamin, as well as his mother, Sara Lou “Sue” Bonnell. He also leaves behind his favorite puppy, Pluto, as well as a new kitty, Celeste.

He is missed by his three brothers, Michael, Rob and Richard, and his sister, Lan. Through his large extended family, his absence is felt from California to Switzerland and Bulgaria.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 12 noon on Friday, September 4th at Hobbs Funeral Home at 671 US Route 1, Scarborough, Maine. A reception will follow on site. Interment will be at Scarborough Memorial Cemetery on Tuesday, September 8th, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Scarborough Land Trust. https://secure.givelively.org/.../in-memory-of-james...