James Borges, 76, of Bristol passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023. He was the husband of Patricia (Polak) Borges for 54 years.

Born in Flushing, Queens, N.Y., James was the son of the late John Borges and the late Jane (LaRoi) Borges. He grew up in Midland Park, N.J., and not long after graduating from high school, hitchhiked his way to Providence College, carrying a sign that read: "I Know 1,000 Jokes." He graduated from PC in 1969 and began a job as sixth-grade teacher at Oliver Hazard Perry Middle School in Providence's West End, where he'd remain for the next two decades.

James and Patricia started a family, and in 1972 moved to Barrington, where they would remain for 17 years. James (better known simply as "Jim") was active in the community as a Little League baseball and soccer coach. An avid walker, he and Patricia could be seen walking around town nearly every day, long before the East Bay Bike Path was in place.

In 1984, he was elected to Barrington Town Council, an accomplishment of which he was truly proud, and served for two years.

Around the same time, after directing several plays at Perry in previous years, he was named theatre director at Classical High School in Providence. Jim truly embraced this position, working with highly-motivated and talented students while producing plays over the ensuing decade.

In the mid-1990s, Jim took over as a principal at a pair of schools, first on Providence's East Side, then in Fall River. He and Patricia moved to Bristol in 1999, and Jim retired in the mid-2000s.

Jim was an avid music fan with a record collection that included favorite artists like the Rolling Stones, Cream, Blind Faith and Traffic. He switched his sports rooting allegiances from the San Francisco Giants to the Boston Red Sox, and was also a New England Patriots and Providence College men's basketball fan.

Later in life, he became an avid (if not spectacular) golfer and was a member at Swansea Country Club.

Jim was a devoted husband to Patricia. He didn't have a huge circle of friends, but everyone who met him liked him. He was an easy-going guy who people gravitated to and enjoyed being in his company and listening to his stories (sometimes truthful, sometimes a bit embellished).

Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons David and his wife Kristie (Mayes) Borges of Southington, CT, and Matthew and his wife Kate (Signore) Borges of Bexley, OH; and three grandchildren: Bethany, Benjamin and Lucas. He was the brother of Barbara, Mary, Joseph and the late John Borges.

Services are with Smith Funeral & Memorial Services, 8 Schoolhouse Rd. Warren, RI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Mary's Church, 330 Wood St. Bristol,RI at 10 AM on Friday, January 12, 2024. Burial will be private.

For directions or tributes, please visit www.wjsmithfh.com.