James T. (Jim) Richardson

James T. Richardson, lifelong Shelburne resident, died peacefully in his home at sunset on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family.

James was predeceased by his wife and soulmate Nancy, with whom he enjoyed 47 years of marriage. Together they had three children.

No one understood the value of hard work quite like James.  He was one of the first students at Mohawk Trail Regional High School to take an accelerated graduation course of study which afforded him the opportunity to graduate a year early in 1972.  After high school, James attended Stockbridge School of Agriculture where he studied Horticulture.  A man of many talents, he was always proud to share that he had won a coveted spot on the UMASS dance team but elected to forgo it to focus on farming and starting a greenhouse business.

Before graduating from Stockbridge in 1974, he had started the business that would become Shelburne Center Greenhouses.  He realized a personal goal of being self-employed the majority of his life, but early on James funded his dreams through work at a local orchard and as a milk truck and school bus driver.  He also worked at his father’s diner to be paid in milk and bread in the early years of his marriage to Nancy.

In the early years, Shelburne Center Greenhouses was a flourishing wholesale flower business run in partnership with his brother-in-law Fred Churchill.  The business grew and developed into a successful landscaping and design company with James managing a crew of over 30 employees.  He was especially proud of his beautiful stonework on the Leyden town common, the Northfield Mount Hermon campus, and stone walls on an estate on Bardwell’s Ferry Road.

Treescapes were also another specialty as part of James’ business, which he carried forward into his work as Tree Warden for the Town of Shelburne from 1999 until his death. After losing the battle to save the trees downtown during the most recent re-design of Bridge Street, he was proud of the  lead role he took in the selection of new trees that will thrive for years to come.  Additionally, sugar maples are aplenty throughout south Shelburne because of his investment in the future of the maple sugar industry.  He raised sugar maples on his farm and transplanted them throughout town. 

A love of tapping sugar maple trees was instilled in him early in his life by his Uncle Vern. Later he picked the hobby back up, sharing it with his children.  He carried on the tradition with his son Jake until his death.  James loved sugaring season and its signal that spring was imminent.

James was Scout Master of Boy Scout Troop 15 for several years. He was proud to present the rank of Eagle Scout to four boys in the troop, including his son and nephew, during that time.

James was also an elected assessor for the Town of Shelburne for 42 years.  He was known as a pillar of knowledge and was recently awarded citations from the state of Massachusetts for his many years of service and dedication to the town.

James was honored to have raised his family in the same house where he spent his own childhood.  His love of the family farm ran deep, and he nurtured the land in such a way that it would serve his family for years to come.  “The Hill” was born when his first daughter was married, and over the years he developed the space into a beautiful event location for many other family weddings and events.  His annual Independence Day party always drew a large crowd, and James loved hosting bonfire “decade” birthday parties that could be spotted from miles away.

James was many things to many people.  He would give anyone in need the shirt off his back, even if he did not have one to spare.  A well-loved and respected member of the Shelburne community, James will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his children; Jacob (Kristin) Richardson of Colrain, Alyssa (Sean) Collins of Greenfield, Amber (Josh) Quinn of Shelburne, grandchildren Seamus and Malakai Collins, Alvin, Cyrus, Zayne, Tripp and Norah Richardson, Nova and Wilder Quinn, sister Juanita (Sabino) Epiceno, two other siblings, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be Friday, March 14 from 4 to 7 pm at the Smith-Kelleher Funeral Home, 40 Church St., Shelburne Falls.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 15 at 1:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Shelburne, followed by a reception in the Shelburne Grange Hall for light refreshments.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to fund a memorial tree to be planted in the village of Shelburne Falls.  Checks can be made out to Amber Quinn at 369 South Shelburne Road, Shelburne, MA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James T. (Jim) Richardson, please visit our floral store.