An Ellsworth man who died last month when he was struck by a car on Route 1A is being remembered as a family man, a lover of animals, a former U.S. Marine and more.
James B. Card II, 74, was known primarily as the founder, owner and operator of Jim’s Used Cars and Auto Repairs, an Ellsworth business that he ran with his daughter, Jennifer Robidoux.
Card died on Jan. 24, when he was struck by a car as he was on foot, trying to retrieve tools that had fallen out of his truck on Route 1A in Ellsworth — also known as Bangor Road — near the intersection of Shore Road.
The crash remains under investigation, according to Ellsworth Deputy Police Chief Shawn Willey.
In addition to Robidoux, Card had three sons, three sisters, grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and in-laws, according to his obituary. One son, James B. Card III, died in 2017.
Relatives of Card did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition to running his car business, Card also was a fisherman for many years, diving for scallops and urchins and netting baby eels, according to his obituary. He was a 1969 graduate of Ellsworth High School and served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1969 to 1975, first on active duty and then in the reserves.
“In earlier years he boxed at The Grand, was a doorman at the Holiday Inn and Round Up, raced his green 1968 Camaro at Winterport Dragway, played softball for TA McIntire, then Friend & Friend — hitting many home runs,” his obituary read. “It may have taken some years for Jimmy to find his purpose in life, once he did, there was no slowing him down.”
“Jimmy’s smile, boisterous voice, laughter and sense of humor will be greatly missed,” it said.
He was an avid recreational boater, and enjoyed keeping dogs and cats as pets, according to his obituary. He also built his own classic cars, owned and maintained blueberry fields, cut and delivered firewood, among other things.
“Seeing how much my dad was loved by our community has brought small glimmers of light to an incredibly dark time,” Robidoux wrote on Facebook. “We are forever grateful to have had such an amazing mentor, boss, and friend. And I am grateful to have been able to call him my dad.”
A memorial service was held for Card on Sunday, Feb. 9 at Ellsworth High School. Robidoux urged friends and family to celebrate Card’s life at the event by driving their favorite vehicles to the high school.
“We ask that you bring your hot rod, if you have one,” she wrote on Facebook. “Bring your mud truck, tool truck, ramp truck, jacked up truck, El Camino, Honda civic, zero turn, scooter… whatever you’re proud of!”
