He may not have been born here, but Fall River’s Jim Soule left mark on area veterans, city’s history

He may not have been born here, but he certainly left his mark on the Scholarship City.

59-year-old James “Jim” Soule died Monday after a battle with cancer.

Soule imported to Fall River 20+ years ago from Bridgewater, Massachusetts after meeting the love of his life Connie.

According to an obituary, “Jim joined the United States Army Reserve in 1985 and worked in the VA Boston healthcare system starting as a switchboard operator and working in the mailroom when he was 18. He earned his license as a Respiratory Therapist and later as a Registered Nurse. He also worked at Davis Park VA in Providence, RI, and Gabriel Care in Fall River.”

Soule loved his family, sailing, traveling, and history, the latter of which led him to restart and co-found the Preservation Society of Fall River in 2007.

His obituary went on to say that “Jim led the Preservation Society of Fall River to develop the historic street signs promoting the Highlands National Historic District, the Historic House Marker program, establish the city’s first protected historic district, help pass the Community Preservation Act in Fall River, laying the foundation for a Fall River Underground Railroad Museum, and purchase four historic properties in the city within five years, totaling 16 housing units, becoming a certified community housing development organization with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.”

Soule is responsible, with his wife Connie, for the preservation efforts of two Fall River historic properties: the 1901 Dana Brayton House and the 1905 Martha B. and Margaret Pevers House.

Calling Hours for Jim will be held Thursday, August 29, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Cherry Place, 178 Winter Street Fall River.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Preservation Society of Fall River, Inc., at 263 Pine Street Apt. B1, Fall River, MA, 02720.