James Haff Mapes, a lifelong resident of Swanton, Vt., 95, passed peacefully in his sleep on March 26, 2026, at Homestead Senior Living in St. Albans, Vt. James was born on December 18, 1930, to Frederick and Virginia Mapes in St. Albans. He was married on July 13, 1951, in Key West, Fla., to the love of his life, Doris Joan Zimmerman, who predeceased him on June 1, 2020. They resided for many years at a third-generation family home at 43 Grand Avenue in Swanton until retiring to their new home they built in the woods off Donaldson Road, where they enjoyed meals on the porch, watching the wildlife and feeding birds.
James attended St. Lawrence University for a short time before joining the United States Navy. He served during the Korean War as sonarman third class aboard the USS Hale, a destroyer homeported in Key West, Fla., operating with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean.
Jim and Doris resided for a short time in Harrisburg, Pa., where her parents lived until 1959, when they returned to the Mapes/Haff family home at 43 Grand Avenue in Swanton. He then became a U.S. Customs inspector, serving many ports in northern Vermont. He retired from service in 1985. Jim and Doris loved tending his vegetable gardens, enjoying nature and traveling throughout New England. He was an avid reader of Civil War nonfiction and had an enormous library, which he donated to the Adams County Historic Society in Gettysburg, Pa., a place he loved to visit.
On December 18, 2025, the Village of Swanton proclaimed the day James H. Mapes Day, an honor he was proud to receive.
Jim is survived by his daughter Jill Coleman and husband Phil of Biglerville, Pa.; son Kim and wife Maureen of West Swanton, Vt.; son Scott of Burlington, Vt.; daughter Kelly and husband Goldie of St. Albans; and son Adam and wife Lisa of St. Albans. He is survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by their first son, Jack; his brother, Frank; and daughter-in-law Stephanie (Scott).
The family would like to add a special thank-you to the nurses and staff at Homestead and Bayada Hospice for their outstanding care.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in James H. Mapes’ memory to Habitat for Humanity. In keeping with his wishes, a private burial will be held at the family’s convenience at Riverside Cemetery in Swanton.
This article appears in Money & Retirement Issue • 2026.
Our deepest condolences to Kim and the family. May he rest in peace.