James R. (Jim) Slater passed away on August 29, 2025 at his home in Portland, Maine. He was 92 years old. Prior to moving to Portland, Jim lived in Rye, NH with his wife Barbara, who passed away in 2019.

Jim was born in Bingley, England on October 10, 1932. He was the son of the late Hartley and Vera Hillary Slater. The family moved to Rye, NH in 1938.

Jim served in the U.S. Navy from 1952 – 1956, as a submariner aboard the USS Grenadier. He then went on to receive an associate’s degree from the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He was employed as a toolmaker by GTE Sylvania in Exeter, NH from 1968 until his retirement in 1995. A talented machinist, fabricator and constant tinkerer, Jim was known by his friends and family for his innovative repairs and rebuilds of everything from electrical appliances to motor scooters. 

He enjoyed playing the piano and organ and was a fan of big band and jazz music. Jim loved spending time with his family, and had a very dry and quirky sense of humor. 

He is survived by his daughter and son in law Susan and Kenneth Pulaski of Beverly, MA, his grandchildren Harmony and Madison Pulaski, his son Ron Slater of Portland, ME and his loving friends old and new.

A Private Interment will take place at Central Cemetery in Rye, NH. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his memory to either the First United Methodist Church 129 Miller Ave. Portsmouth, NH 03801 www.fumcportsmouth.com or to the 75 State Street Senior Living, Portland, ME 04101 www.75StateStreet.org.