James A. "Jimmy" Steele

James Arthur “Jimmy” Steele, 80, of Merrimack, NH, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center surrounded by his loving family and close friends. He was the beloved husband of Rita (Levasseur) Steele with whom he shared nearly 50 wonderful years of marriage. They would always tell each other “I love you today” multiple times a day.

He was born on December 30, 1944, in Lowell, Massachusetts and was the son of William and Rose (Jackson) Steele. He received his education in the Nashua School System and was a graduate of Nashua High School. Jimmy proudly served in the United States Air force during the Vietnam War until he was honorably discharged.

For many years, he was employed as a compounder for Nashua Corporation while simultaneously attending The University of Massachusetts Lowell in the evening to earn his plumbing degree. Upon graduating, he worked as a licensed plumber for various companies for several years until his retirement. Jimmy had numerous hobbies and many talents; he was an avid bowler, bowling on many leagues over the years and received the “Top Bowler” award years ago.

Jimmy loved to play card games, especially cribbage, attend classic car shows, do crossword puzzles and complete multiple jigsaw puzzles too. He had an extensive coin collection that he was always adding to and never turned down a good book; James Patterson was his favorite author.

Time with friends and family was always a top priority for Jimmy; from his leisurely car rides with his wife, frequent trips to the beach including Wells Beach, Maine and Biddeford Pool, Maine, and snow-birding in Port St. Lucie, Florida for six winters.

Jimmy will be remembered for his great sense of humor, being a hardworking, caring, and loving man. He cherished his time spent with his family and close friends, who became an extended part of his family. He will be missed by all who had the opportunity to know such a good man.

In addition to his wife, Rita, Jimmy is survived by their “daughter” Louise Campbell and her fiancé Steve Baron; his brother Allan Steele and his wife Kathy; his half-brother, Michael Steele; his sister-in-law, Janet Levasseur and her sons Anthony Pennacchia, Michael Pennacchia, and David Penn; his niece and nephews; Kelley Lochmandy and her husband Tyrone and their son Jackson; Michael Levasseur and his wife Leslee and their children Brandon, Sarah, and Matthew; Allen St. Louis and his wife Sherry and their children Bryan and Gregory; James St. Louis and his children Amy and Maggie; Priscilla St. Louis, Katrina Deware, Matthew Deware; several step brothers, many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Jimmy was predeceased by his sister Dolly St. Louis, his brother Billy Steele, his sister Susan Steele, his half-brother Gary Steele, his “daughter” Lisa Deware, and his brother-in-law Normand Levasseur.

 Relatives and friends are invited to Jimmy’s visitation on THURSDAY, February 20th from 4 until 7 PM at ROCHETTE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, 21 Kinsley Street, Nashua, NH. His Funeral Mass will be held on FRIDAY, February 21st at 10AM in St. John Neumann Church, 708 Milford Road, Merrimack. His burial will take place in the spring, at the family's convenience, in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Nashua. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on Jimmy's behalf to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by visiting http://www.stjude.org 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James A. "Jimmy" Steele, please visit our floral store.