James Joseph DiFiore

James Joseph DiFiore, 62, of Westbrook, passed away in his home surrounded by his loved ones on June 8, 2017. He was the 6th of 11 children, born to Leo and Mary DiFiore on August 4th, 1954.

James, known as “Jimmy D” to many of his family and friends, attended Portland High School, growing up in a large Italian family on Munjoy Hill. At an early age, he ventured off to Wyoming, where he worked on an oil rig. He returned to Maine, where he met his former wife, Gayle DiFiore, and they raised their only daughter. Gayle and James divorced, but always remained friends. Later in life, James met his long-time partner, Gail Whitten, who cared for him throughout his battle with cancer and was his best friend and biggest fan.

James worked his entire life as a laborer and ended his career at General Dynamics in Saco. He was a hard-working man, often taking overtime shifts to help support his family. During his free-time, you could find Jimmy swinging clubs on the golf course, participating in Men’s League Softball, or singing his heart out at Karaoke contests. He loved to dance, play pool, and was a member of the Portland Eagles Club. His biggest passion was sports and he excelled at any kind he tried, often to the chagrin of those that had to play against him. He was a man of few words, but loved his big Italian family and friends. James spent many weekends boating on Highland Lake in his pontoon while singing Elvis and Engelbert Humperdinck to his, then young, daughter’s delight.

James is survived by his daughter, Katherine DeMolet, son-in-law, Jeremy DeMolet, and granddaughter, Charlotte DeMolet, of Saco, Maine, his ten siblings, Nancy Rolfe, Rita Richard, Danny Johnny, Peter, Tommy, Phil, Leo, Paul, and Alfred DiFiore, as well as many nieces and nephews. James had a special place in his heart for Gail Whitten’s grandchildren, Dean Sawyer, who loved keeping him company, and Chloe, Delaney, and Nick Whitten, He will also be remembered by Gail’s daughter, Michelle Whitten- Sawyer, her husband Tom Sawyer, and Gail’s son DJ Whitten, and his wife Dawn Whitten.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dawn Whitten and the team at New England Cancer Specialists and Hospice of Southern Maine, for their exceptional care and support of James and his family.  

James loved his mother dearly and we know she will be waiting for him on the other side.

Visitation will take place from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Thursday, June 15, 2017 followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland.  Interment will take place at Brooklawn Memorial Park.

 Service Information