James Edwin Furniss
Jim “Big Jim” as he was known to his friends and colleagues was born July 28th, 1939 in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, the second child to Edwin Eggars Furniss and Blanche Rapp Furniss. Jim died suddenly and unexpectedly the morning of May 28th, 2007 of an apparent heart attack. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” Gay Furniss who he married August 22, 1963 and their only son, James Steven Furniss who was his business partner in their transportation software company, TranWare, Inc.. Jim’s sister Phyllis Harvey and her husband Jacques live in Hubbard, Ohio and Jim’s 103 year old mother Blanche lives nearby in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
Jim met Betty in 1962 while they were attending Penn State University. Jim graduated with a degree in Agriculture and worked with Betty’s family on their farm in Northeast Pennsylvania until 1967 when he joined the Rouse Company in their “new town” project of Columbia, Maryland. Jim became involved with this project after reading an article in Life Magazine about Jim Rouse and his goals for Columbia. Even though Jim had no construction or development experience whatsoever, he got in his open Jeep and drove from Pennsylvania to the Rouse Company headquarters in Maryland. The six foot seven Furniss marched in and introduced himself, "Mr. Rouse, I'm Jim Furniss and I'd like to work for you on this project." Jim Rouse responded, "What can you do for me?" to which Furniss answered, "Anything you want me to." Jim was personally hired by Mr. Rouse and was responsible for the construction project management of roadways, lakes, commercial buildings, landscaping and the Meriwether Post Pavilion. Jim was looking forward to being honored as one of the Founders of Columbia during the 40th Anniversary celebration of the community in the summer of 2007. Betty and Steve attended the event on his behalf in June 2007. During the late 60’s and early 70’s, Jim booked rock concerts at the pavilion. Jim and Betty played together regularly in a bluegrass band called “The Saturday Night Bath” in New Hampshire. In the early ‘70s, Jim and Betty took 2 multi-week to Europe visiting many countries. On the 2nd trip to Spain and Portugal, their 10 year old son Steve joined them.
After successfully getting Columbia off the ground and opened, Jim formed Land Ventures with a few of his key business associates from the Columbia project. Together they worked to build and open Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire. Following that project, Land Ventures went to Texas to be involved with the development and opening of The Woodlands, TX, a project similar to Columbia done by the Mitchell Energy Corporation. Once again, Jim’s tasks included building the roadways, bridges, open spaces, lakes and the first buildings and residential projects for the new city.
In 1974, Jim, his family and friends went on a weeklong ski trip to Vail Colorado. They loved it so much, they decided to immediately move to the Aspen – Snowmass area. While in Aspen, Jim was hired to be Project Director for the Aspen Downtown Pedestrian Mall. This was a major 5 city block project where streets would be closed, demolished then re-finished as a promenade. Jim and his family returned to Aspen in the spring of 2007 to see the Mall in beautiful condition with the 30 year old trees he planted as seedlings standing tall and strong. After the Mall project, Jim became the Director of Transportation for the City of Aspen and also built many projects there including employee housing for the City, countless condominiums and single family homes. Jim arranged many large scale outdoor concerts to raise money for the Deaf Camp, a charitable institution in Old Snowmass, Co. These concerts often were attended by thousands of people and included performers such as Jimmy Buffett and John Denver. Jim, Betty and Steve played music regularly at many local spots as “The Cabin Fever Bluegrass Band.” Also while in Aspen, two of Jim’s good friends Marc Demmon aka Dr. Slats Cabbage and Al Pendorf aka Fulton Begley III formed Aspen State Teachers College. Jim aka Harold Center joined his two buddies and the three expanded and promoted the “No Credit Fun School of The Rockies” with great enthusiasm. ASTC still lives on today and celebrated its 30th Anniversary in the fall of 2005.
In the spring of 1982 Jim’s son Steve entered the United States Air Force following graduation from Aspen High School. Jim and Betty then relocated to a camp site near the top of Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado. They and a group of construction workers built some exclusive single family homes while living completely without electricity or running water for 5 months. After the summer building season, Jim and Betty spent the following winter back in Tunkhannock, PA to assist in the care of Betty’s father Charlie Gay who was beginning to suffer from Alzheimer ’s disease. They returned to Colorado and lived in Steamboat Springs for about a year during 1983-84. After a two week trip to Hawaii together, Jim and Betty returned to New Hampshire in 1984. Jim had accepted an Executive position with the Satter Companies of New England. During the next 4 years Jim built many projects near the Loon Mountain Ski Resort including Deer Park Residential Community, The Lodge at Lincoln Station and Riverfront Condominiums. After completing a 4 year service in the USAF, Jim’s son Steve returned to New Hampshire in 1986 to work in the construction business with his father.
In late 1987, Jim, Betty and Steve moved to Doylestown, PA near Philadelphia to start a new exclusive home development company called Robert Edwin Lloyd named after the middle names of the 3 partners. Steve worked as office and account manager for the firm as well. They built a high-end spec home during 1988. After construction was completed and feeling the urge to return to the North Country, Jim and Betty moved back to Lincoln, NH. Jim became a partner with Winterbrook Construction Company in Campton, NH / Waterville Valley Ski Area. Once again, they built many exclusive homes, commercial and residential projects. Steve stayed in the Philadelphia area operating his computer software company, Inventek, Inc.
In late 1991, Steve was also feeling homesick for New Hampshire and missed being with his family. He decided to move back to Lincoln and He, Jim and close friend Charlie Iappini started Computers North Corporation. This marked the beginning of Jim’s second career: Computers and Software.
Through the summer of 1994, Jim and Steve Operated Computers North (CNC) out of their offices in Lincoln. They built custom computers and networks for many local businesses and provided technical consulting services. CNC also provided installation and support for clients of Mobile Computer Systems (MCS), a company Steve helped start while in the Philadelphia area. In the fall of 1994 the then owner of MCS offered to sell the company to the Furniss family. After negotiations, they arranged to operate the company in Clearwater, Florida. Jim’s parents had retired to the West Coast of Florida in the late ‘60’s and the Furniss’ enjoyed that part of the country. After relocating to Clearwater, the MCS deal fell through. Since a new holding company had already been formed, the Furniss’ decided to venture out on their own in the software industry and began operating as Surfside Software Systems. In the summer of 1996 Jim joined Steve and family in Vermont as Best Man at Steve’s wedding to Robin Zambon.
Over a period of 5 years from 1994-99, Jim, Steve and their staff developed the TranWare ground transportation software product line and began selling the system to taxicab and other transportation companies throughout the US and Canada. Jim and Steve continued to grow the software business each year and sold the company to a public corporation in 2000. As part of this transaction, Jim and Steve continued on as Executive Officers of the public company operating the Software Division. In less than two years, it became apparent that the CEO of the new company was a crook and Jim and Steve were forced to resign. Since the terms of their acquisition were never met, they took back their interest in the software and client base. They formed a new, family owned company TranWare, Inc. named after the successful software they had created. From 2002 until Jim’s untimely death in May, 2007, Jim, Steve and Steve’s wife Robin operated TranWare as a family business. Jim, whose position was Vice President and Director of Marketing, helped the company amass nearly one hundred active clients that use TranWare on a daily basis. Steve and Robin along with their business associates continue to operate TranWare full-time. There will never be a replacement for Jim, but the company will carry on his legacy of honesty, dedication and quality service.
Jim continued to play and sing bluegrass music on a regular basis. He had assembled a nice collection of vintage Martin acoustic guitars and played regularly with his friends and his local band “Unclaimed Baggage.” Betty and Steve often played with Jim at various parties and events. Since 2002, Jim had been creating original computer artwork and produced a portfolio of nearly 700 works featured here within this website.
Rest in Peace Big Jim. We miss you.
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