James Joseph Harmon, Sr.

James Joseph Harmon, Sr., 78 years old, of Scituate departed this life on Monday, May 22, 2017 peacefully at home. His devoted wife Maureen (Kinsella) and beloved children Jay, Michael and Tara were at Jim’s side during his long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Jim known for his kind and gentle manner and love for his family, his many friends, and his rich life, faced this fatal disease throughout the many years with his innate good humor. His pension for always helping others led to an early involvement in Alzheimer’s research at Boston Medical Center.

Jim was the son of the late Eileen (Moriarty) and William Harmon and brother of the late Bill Harmon. He grew up in Cambridge and Arlington. Jim graduated from Matignon High School in 1957 and was a proud alum of Boston College. He was a member of the Delta Sig Fraternity.

Jim’s long career in the food industry began in the early 1960’s. He worked as a milkman for Whiting’s Dairy during his college summers on Cape Cod. After college he worked as a food broker for Best Foods, Barclay, Brown & Kavanaugh, Advantage Sales and Marketing and Radlo Foods. He called on Shaw’s Supermarkets for 26 years, leading to many lasting friendships.

Over the more than 50 years of marriage to his wife Maureen, the annual cruise to Bermuda was a given. They also enjoyed many trips to Ireland visiting family. So immersed was Jim in his Irish heritage, he could always be heard bragging, decked out in his ever present scally cap with a shamrock on it. Jim and Maureen enjoyed other travels including Hawaii, Alaska, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Among Jim’s lifetime passions was playing golf. Early on and even as his disease progressed he played. He was a member at The Captains Golf Course in Brewster where he owned a condo at Oceans Edge. He also was a regular on the senior circuit at Widow’s Walk Golf Course in Scituate.

Jim volunteered at the Scituate Senior Center where he served as Vice President of the Board. He also coached his children in baseball, softball and basketball. He was the president of the Scituate Pop Warner Football for 2 years. Almost daily Jim could be seen walking around town with his cherished and protective dog Bridget.

Above and beyond anything else, Jim’s death leaves a void in his family to whom his life was dedicated. Jim, known as “PopPop” to his grandchildren Samantha, Chris, Brock, Connor, Kate, Chase, Ronan, Quinn and great grandchildren Brantley and Owen will be deeply missed. They will all be sharing cherished memories of trips to Cape Cod, the Outer Banks and his famous “mystery rides” around Scituate. Sharing in grief are Jim’s sisters-in-laws, Nancy McCain, Mary Jane Kinsella and Marybeth Harmon.

We are consoled by the knowledge that this man of faith, honesty and loyalty will be welcomed into heavenly peace singing an Irish tune.

Visiting hours at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home, 382 First Parish Road, Scituate on Tuesday, May 30th from 4p-7p. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at St. Anthony Church, 10 Summer St, Cohasset on Wednesday May 31st at 11am.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s Research at Boston Medical Center, 72 East Concord Street-Robinson 7800, Boston, MA 02118 or Norwell Visiting Nurses and Hospice, 120 Longwater Dr, Norwell, MA 02061.