James H. (Smith) Kachnovich Obituary

Livermore – James H. (Smith) Kachnovich, 81, of Livermore, passed away Wednesday, July 16th at Marshwood Center in Lewiston, surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 30, 1943, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, the son of James and Marion (Kachnovich) Smith. He was a 1962 graduate of Waterville High School and proudly won the State Football Championship his Senior year. He served in the National Guard from 1966 to 1972. He furthered his education at Maine Maritime, then graduated from Paul Smith’s College in New York, earning a degree in Forestry. In 1969 he began his career in forestry working for the International Paper Company, eventually moving to the power plant as the power plant control room operator at the Androscoggin Mill in Jay. He was also a licensed professional land surveyor from 1976 to the present and helped form Kachnovich Land Surveying, Inc with his son, Toby. In 1970, he married Marilyn Simpson, and had two sons, Timothy and Toby Kachnovich. They divorced in 1990. James later married Deborah A. Lane in 2000. James served on the Jay planning board for over 30 years, he was a member of the International Paper Company Quarter Century Club, Amvets Post 33 in Jay, George Bunton American Legion Post 10 in Livermore Falls, Maine Society of Land Surveyors, Lithuanian Heritage Club in Rumford and Wilton Fish and Game. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports, going to camp on Pleasant Pond in Caratunk, hunting, fishing, gardening, and loved working on his wood pile. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Kachnovich of Livermore, sons, Timothy Kachnovich and wife Jessica of Livermore, and Toby Kachnovich and wife Jennifer of Jay, two bonus children, Courtney Chasse and husband Bruce of Madawaska, and Owen Keene of Lewiston, grandchildren, Tyler and his wife, Renae, Ainsley, Aubrey, and Alaina, bonus grandchildren, Kobe, Mason and Samantha Chasse, and his nephew, Peter Hitchcock and wife Joyce of Rutland, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his parents, and half-sister, Colleen Hitchcock. Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com

Kachnovich – James H. (Smith), 81, of Livermore, Maine passed away July 16, 2025, in Lewiston, Maine. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11AM, Wednesday, July 23rd at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay, Maine. Visitation 4-7PM, Tuesday, July 22nd at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Interment with Military Honors, Holy Cross Cemetery, 445 Park Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: American Legion Post #10, 17 Reynolds Avenue, Livermore Falls, Maine 04254