James I. Fields, 72, CEO

James I. Fields, 72, of Ambler, the former president and CEO of an adhesive products manufacturer in Huntingdon Valley, died Sunday, March 30, of vascular dementia at Garden Spring Center in Willow Grove.He was a resident of Philadelphia and Ambler before moving to the center several years ago.

Mr. Fields was a self-taught businessman who always wanted to run his own enterprise. In 1976, he borrowed enough money from his father to acquire a small laboratory in Lancaster County.

He moved the business to Pioneer Road in Huntingdon Valley and gave it a variation of his own name: Fielco Industries Inc.

"He liked being a salesman. He enjoyed running the show," said his son Daniel J.

Until retiring in 2004, he nurtured the small company, which makes various types of industrial glue. His son is now the firm's general manager.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Fields attended public schools. He had no formal business training.

He married Phyllis J. Schmier in 1969. The two divorced many years ago.

Mr. Fields was an antique-car enthusiast who loved to show off his vintage Cadillacs, 12-cylinder Packards, and Chrysler Airflow.

His favorites were a 1928 Packard, and a 1956 black-and-white Cadillac Eldorado convertible. The car collection has since been liquidated.

He was an active member of the Cadillac and LaSalle Club, the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Classic Car Club of America, and the Packard Club. He was a regular at car shows, and made many lifelong friends who shared his interest in antique autos.

Mr. Fields, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound man, lived large. He drove big cars. He spoke in a loud voice. He knew how to laugh and have a good time, and he swept others along with him.

He loved opera, and held season tickets for years at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. He often arranged for opera singers to entertain at parties in his Ambler home or at his New York apartment.

"He would have the party catered and hire someone to play the piano," his son said.

Besides his son and former wife, he is survived by another son, Jeffrey S.; a daughter, Samantha J. Koellhoffer; and three grandchildren. A sister and granddaughter died earlier.

A graveside service will be held at Shalom Memorial Park, 101 Byberry Rd., Huntingdon Valley, on Sunday, April 6, at 12:30 p.m.

Contributions may be made to the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum Inc., 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, Pa. 17033.

610-313-8102