James E. & Helen F. Chisholm Fund

Jim was the founder and former President of JC Marketing Associates of Wakefield. Born in Woonsocket, RI, Jim was a 1947 graduate of Woonsocket High School, and attended the University of Rhode Island and Northeastern University. He joined the United States Army at the age of 19, serving in the Korean War, earning the rank of Sgt. 1st Class. In his early years, Jim was a milkman, a volunteer firefighter, and a news reporter before accepting a job at the newly opened American Mutual Life Insurance Company in Wakefield in 1958. He opened his own business, Business Building Ideas in 1964. The company became J. Chisholm Associates, and eventually JC Marketing Associates when his two daughters joined him in the family business. Jim was active in many civic and community organizations. He was among the founding members and officers of the Wakefield Little League, a past President of the Wakefield Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow, a Past President and Director of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Jaycees, President of the St. Joseph’s Church Holy Name Society, and was a member and Director of the Bear Hill Golf Club. He was named Man of the Year by both the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce and the West Side Social Club for his contribution to his community. He was also active in many professional organizations, including serving as the President of the Massachusetts Industrial Editors Association, a member of Toastmasters and was a professional/motivational speaker. Jim was a mentor to many students, fledgling business owners and local/municipal officials many of whom became lifelong friends. He gave more than he received, a lesson that he passed on to his three children and seven grandchildren. He was a maverick and pioneer in the public relations field in the Greater Boston area, long before many people knew exactly what it was. Jim’s generosity and commitment to life was second-to-none. Jim’s children established this fund following his death in October of 2012.

Helen graduated from Blackstone High School in 1947 and went to work for the telephone company. She and Jim married in 1952 shortly after his return from Korea. They settled in Bellingham and moved to Wakefield in 1958, where they made their home. Helen was active in St. Joseph’s Mother’s Club, the Little Red School House and was a member of the Jaycee-ettes and the unofficial women’s arm of the Rotary Club of Wakefield. She worked at Minahan’s Pharmacy, where she met many lifelong friends, and at the Golden Door in Wakefield Helen later ended her career just as she started it – working as the telephone switchboard operator at American Mutual, the same company that brought the Chisholms to Wakefield. Today, Helen spends her winters in Naples and continue to golf and play bocce.