James “Big Jim” Frederick Sprague, 77 of Spring Hill, FL (formerly of Coventry RI), peacefully passed away on January 23, 2024, at Gulfside Hospice Center of New Port Richey, FL at the age of 77, comforted by his wife.
James was born on September 23, 1946, to Earl and Margaret Sprague (Jeff) in Providence RI. At the age of 17, James enlisted in the United States Navy in 1963, with his first assignment being on the USS Grenadier (SS-525) and ending with the USS John C. Calhoun (SSBN-630). After leaving the Navy, James worked as an Operating Engineer on several major infrastructure projects in Rhode Island as well as a Bridge and Building Foreman for Amtrak before forming his own company, Four Seasons Re-Construction, which he ran until 2007.
In 1980, James met Carol (Duggan) Sprague, and they wed in 1985, raising Laurie, John, Susan, and Scott.
After retiring in 2007, James built a home in North Carolina for him and Carol to live where James spent his days helping others, vacationing with friends and family, and focusing on his hobbies, none more so than building and flying model airplanes with his grandsons Richard and Hunter. In 2017, James and Carol moved to Spring Hill, Florida, where James would spend his time collecting, repairing, and gifting heirloom watches. But James enjoyed nothing more than relaxing on the couch with his wife, his dogs Abigale and Daisy, a movie and of course a large bowl of ice cream.
James is predeceased by his parents and his brother Earl. He is survived by his wife, Carol; his sister Debra (Dennis) Jubinville of Hudson Florida; his 4 children, Laurie Sprague of Cranston, RI, John (Elizabeth) Wilsey of Hubert, NC, Susan (Ted) Knott of Norwich, CT and Scott (Sandra) Sprague of Stoughton, MA; his seven grandchildren: Stephen, Heather, Shelby, Richard, Hunter, Emerson and Jacob and his three great grandchildren: Zadok, EmmaKay and Walt.
In loving memory of Jim, family and friends are invited to celebrate his life on Friday, April 5, from 1:00-4:00 pm at the East Greenwich Fireman's Club, 80 Queen Street, East Greenwich, RI.
