James Joseph McCarthy

James J McCarthy, age 93, formerly of West Newbury and residing in the Bedford VA for the past eight years.

He will be deeply missed by his son James J McCarthy Jr, his daughter in-law Debra, their sons Matthew and James III. His daughter Sharon Lee and Marie Rose and his granddaughter Dianne.

He was born in South Boston in 1921. He graduated from Wentworth Institute and Northeastern University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He joined the National Guard before the Second World War and was activated after Pearl Harbor. He served honorably in both the Pacific Campaign and the war in Europe. He was wounded in Guadalcanal, went home to recover, attended officer’s candidate school and came back as a Second Lieutenant just after the Normandy invasion to Europe. His division, the 84th infantry, fought all the way to Germany, including in The Battle of The Bulge. Jim was wounded twice more in Europe and Germany before being sent home to recover just before the fall of Germany. He was awarded the bronze star for his bravery.

After the war Jim worked as a machinist and he went to school nights, Eventually he graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering and was promoted to plant superintendent. His first wife, Dorothy Ann Dirsa, was the mother of his three children. They moved to Franklin, Massachusetts “to enjoy the country” and lived there for over 16 years with their three children. She passed away in 1977 at the age of 56.

Jim was remarried in 1982 to Jacqueline McWilliams and lived with her in Marlboro Massachusetts for 17 years until she passed away.

Jim enjoyed fishing and computers. He enjoyed both while living with his son and daughter-in-law on the Merrimac River in the later years of his life. He also took an overnight trip with his son, sponsored by The New England Fisherman TV show, to catch tuna. He was 80 at the time and was the first person to catch a 60 pound tuna and he caught the first three fish!

The wake for Jim will be at Nickerson Funeral Home on 40 MacArthur Boulevard in Bourne MA. From 12pm to 1pm on Wednesday, February 4. He will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA