James Progin Obituary

James Andrew Progin died August 1, 2025, in Hanover NH of a blood infection at the age of 86.

He was born January 11, 1939 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts to Nelson Homer and Elna (Lundberg) Progin. Both parents predeceased him at an early age and his maternal aunt Agnes Mindt and husband Karl raised him, along with his older sister Ann and younger brother Nelson, with financial assistance by his uncle George and George's four remaining brothers.

Uncle Karl, an inventor by nature, lit the ski hill across the street with search lights on the family garage so Jim could learn to ski on Hospital (Burbank) Hill when he was five. Skiing gave Jim immense enjoyment throughout his life, a total of 75 ski seasons from New Hampshire to Colorado to Utah and finally Montana, also Switzerland, Austria and helicopter skiing at Galena lodge in Canada. He won many races, including the club championship several times, as part of the Flopinaufin ski club in Fitchburg. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1956 and entered Dartmouth College that fall.

As an aside, Uncle George's company, Union Products, made the original pink plastic flamingo and Jim joked that a lawn ornament put him through college. But it did, thanks to Uncle George's generosity and belief in Jim.

While an undergraduate, Jim majored in Economics, was on the ski team and participated in intramural sports, wrestling in the under 130lb category. He was president of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. The DKE house during his tenure, as Jim fondly told it, was the basis for many of the antics and scenes from Animal House, the movie. Jim remained close to his classmates and frat brothers and joined them every month for lunch in Hanover. His September class reunion would have been his 65th.

Upon graduation, Jim continued his education at Dartmouth's Amos Tuck School of Business, graduating in 1962 with an MBA. He joined Arthur Andersen & CO in their Boston office as an auditor of Boston-area companies and Maine paper companies and government contractors, notably Great Northern Paper and Hyde Wyndlass which became Bath Iron Works.

Soon after, Jim enlisted in the Coast Guard reserves, stationed at the First Coast Guard District in Boston. He laughed about the largest ship he was on: a 26-foot rowboat as part of basic training. In his 13 years with Arthur Andersen, Jim earned his CPA and advanced to Senior Manager. It was during this time his two beloved daughters were born, Lisa and Jennifer, with wife Nancy, and they bought a winter home adjacent to the then-thriving Tyrol ski area in the Mount Washington Valley.

In 1975 Jim left Andersen instead of joining the Houston office as partner. He accepted the controller job at the young Boston full-service commercial real estate developer Spaulding & Slye. He was proud he only worked at two companies in his career.

Jim restructured the financial division and became Chief Financial Officer and a General Partner. Some of his favorite memories include joint ventures with IBM, MetLife, Bank of Boston and other financial institutions to develop commercial real estate in Boston, Washington, DC, Charlotte, NC and Oklahoma City. He took great pride in training and developing his employees, who became successful in their own careers. In turn, his employees were loyal to Jim and considered him a lifelong friend.

He retired in 1987 at the age of 48 and moved with his wife, Judy Holmes, permanently to their Jackson, NH home at the former Tyrol ski area and base lodge where they enjoyed hiking, skiing at Wildcat with his lifetime pass, and hosting friends and family. Jim could often be seen driving his John Deere tractor to grade the driveway, mow the lower ski trails for neighbors and generally enjoy the ride. He also began an avid interest in golf which he played into his 80's.

He and Judy bought a home on Beaver Creek Mountain in Colorado in 1987 where Jim would often ski 100 days a season. They hosted dozens of families and friends over their 32 winters there. The memories of those times together will last forever.

In the off season, Judy and Jim traveled extensively to hike, sightsee and cruise the world. With their friends from LL Bean and father-in-law Lloyd Holmes, Jim hiked Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the Milford Track in New Zealand, several peaks in Switzerland and fished the Ponoi River in Russia. Favorite countries and destinations were Switzerland, Scandinavia, Alaska, the Antarctic and the Northwest Passage from Alaska to Bar Harbor. After three decades in Colorado, they bought their dream cabin at Yellowstone Club in 2018, in Big Sky, Montana where he skied his last days at age 80.

Jim was active in the 1990's as president of the Mount Washington Valley Habitat for Humanity. Together with dedicated volunteers, habitat built a home a year. He contributed to the organization in many ways, from banging nails to clearing lots, philanthropy and structuring the finances. He helped develop the MWV habitat to become self-sufficient, from crews and fundraising to succession planning.

As a member of the Equus Capital Partners' Board of Directors in Philadelphia, Jim contributed his lifetime of expertise in real estate investing to help guide the company from a fledgling operation to one with holdings and investments nationwide. He and Dan DiLella and his advisors shared a special relationship.

He was a proud, life-long moderate Republican who participated in campaigns as the candidates, especially presidential, came through the Mt. Washington Valley. He followed politics closely and voted in every election. He recently moved to Harvest Hill retirement community near Dartmouth, to be near friends from his class of 1960.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, brother Nelson and sister Ann. He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 38 years, Judy Holmes, of Whitefish and Big Sky, Montana; his two devoted daughters Lisa Saklad and her husband Scott, along with their sons Ryan and Tyler; and Jen Progin and her wife Melissa, with their daughters Abigail and Georgia, all of Massachusetts. Jim also leaves behind many cherished relatives and dear friends across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. He was blessed with a caring family and four wonderful grandchildren who brought him much joy.

Donations in Jim's memory may be made to the MWV Habitat for Humanity. Celebrations of his life will be held in Jackson and Hanover, New Hampshire later this month.

Knight Funeral Home of White River Junction, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.