James Donald Mitchell, Jr.

Newspaper Publisher, former Mayor of Chelsea

86, of Saugus, MA. Born May 3, 1937 in Chelsea, son of James Donald Mitchell of Gary, WV and Marian (Spracklin) of Chelsea, MA, Jim graduated from Chelsea High School in 1955, voted "Best Athlete" by his senior class where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball.

Following graduation, he attended Kansas State University on a full football scholarship and later studied at Suffolk University in Boston.

Jim married Ethelyn (Mahoney) of Revere, and was the loving and devoted father to their four children; Jeffrey, James, Marianne and Todd.

Jim's professional career began in newspaper advertising at the Chelsea Record, before leaving to manage the Malden Evening News and the Medford Mercury for many years, retiring as advertising manager.

Jim committed his life to his hometown of Chelsea, beginning his 16-years in public service as Ward 5 Alderman for one term, then as Alderman-at-Large, and finally, serving as Mayor of Chelsea for one term in 1984-1985.

He founded Suffolk County Publications and published the Chelsea Advocate for almost a decade.

Along with his son, James David, Jim co-published the Advocate Newspapers, Inc. publishing weekly newspapers in Everett, Revere, Malden and Saugus in print and online for over 32 years.

Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Ethelyn; and his four children, Jeffrey Mitchell and his wife, Julie of Saugus, James David of Danville, NH, Todd of Everett, MA and daughter, Marianne Hanson and her husband, Daniel Hanson of Carmel, IN, his sister, Nancy Belanger and her husband, Daniel Belanger of Charlton, MA and Vincent Montesano of Revere, MA, along with his grandchildren, Ashley, Brittnay, and Victoria Mitchell and Mitchell, Jacob Ringenberg, and Annie Rose, nieces, nephews, and 7 great-grandchildren.  He is predeceased by his sister, Jean Montesano and brother, John Mitchell. Jim also leaves his darling Labradoodle, Lucy.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:  A Memorial Service will be held at the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., Chelsea on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 12 noon – 2:00 pm.  Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.

DONATIONS:  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or on-line at www.shrinerschildrens.org

We encourage family and friends to condolences by means of the online guest book or to send a personalized sympathy card.