James H. NOEL

James H. Noel, 70, Venice, died Dec. 26, 2005, at home.He was born Feb. 22, 1935, in Cambridge, Mass., and came to Venice eight years ago after retiring from the New Jersey Commission for the Blind, placing high school students in careers and colleges. He received a master's degree in special education from Kean College and taught speech at Hanover Park High School before becoming a special education teacher in Mount Olive Township, N.J. For several summers he directed Camp Sundial in Chester, N.J., a camp for mentally challenged children and adults, and he also ran sheltered workshops.Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Yvonne; daughters Bonnie Devlin of Mawr, Pa., Betsy Friedman of Memphis, Tenn., and Sharon Prior of Media, Pa.; a son, Dirck of Blairstown, N.J.; a sister, Linda Hogg of Wakefield, Mass.; and nine grandchildren.A memorial Mass will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. A memorial service will be later in New Jersey. Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Venice Chapel, is in charge.Memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238.