James R. McGuirk

James Richard McGuirk, passed away Saturday, May 6th, 2017, at the age of 71. He had been battling a month-long, complicated set of medical crises. James, known as Jim or Jake, was predeceased by his father James Arthur "Babe" McGuirk, and mother Gertrude Monahan McGuirk. He is survived by his sister Marcia Mozzochi and her husband Donald; brother John and his wife Cathy Ripkey McGuirk; beloved wife, Jane Larson McGuirk; son Brian and his wife Kristin Wedel McGuirk; daughter Amy; and dog Brady. He is also survived by a large army of loyal, cherished friends.Jim was a lifelong resident of Providence's Elmhurst neighborhood, and member of St. Pius V Parish. He attended St. Pius V School, where his powerful intellect was already on display. After St. Pius, he formed lifelong friendships and intellectual foundations with equal ease and dexterity at La Salle Academy. He graduated with the great class of 1963. Following La Salle, he attended Providence College. He spent a memorable and formative year abroad in Friebourg, Switzerland. He graduated with Honors in 1967. That year, he was accepted to the United States Navy's Officers Candidate School in Newport. He was commissioned an Ensign in February, 1968.Jim was immensely proud of his service in the Navy. He was in the first-ever class of designated "Surface Warfare Officers," a specialty training and certification for "ship drivers," as he termed them. After boiler school and engineering school (fascinating experiences for a liberal arts major), he was assigned to the USS Richard E. Kraus (DD-849), under the Command of Captain Roger Buck. The experience of being a Watch Officer on the Kraus was one of the defining experiences of his life. He sailed the world and enjoyed every minute of it: Brazil, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, off the coast of Vietnam.He saw out his time in the service as a Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Thomas Weschler, Commander of Naval Station Newport and Cruiser Destroyer Force Atlantic. During this station, he found time to commute to Providence College for classes. He received his Masters in History from there in 1972.Following his Naval service, he was accepted to Boston College Law School. He was Managing Editor of the Law Review there during his final year. Upon graduation, he worked in the Public Defenders Office in Providence, and then accepted a position as an associate at Edwards & Angell, LLP, in Providence. He spent the next 37 years there. As always, Jim forged cherished friendships and complicated legal deals with equal ease throughout his career.At Edwards & Angell, Jim met the love of his life, the "best person I ever met," his wife Jane. They married in 1980 and spent 37 happy years together. Jim never wavered from his claim that Jane was the best thing that had ever happened to him. Their son Brian was born in 1983, and daughter Amy, "the apple of his eye," came to them in 1989. He was a wonderful father, and a loving husband until the day he died.Jim taught Brian and Amy from as early as they remember that "Friends are the most important thing in the world. Friends are the family you choose." And he lived what he taught. Jim was one of the most generous people many have ever known, in ways large and small. One friend pointed out recently that he was never more terrifying or powerful than when fighting for his friends, the most righteous of causes. Sharing and generosity were dominant themes of Jim's life, including the sharing of stories and jokes. Jim was also one of the most hilarious people many have ever known. He revelled in living out the Irish storytelling tradition and loved nothing better than to make a room full of people laugh. His family are blessed to have so many great jokes from him, and stories to tell about him. After all, he had "a million of'em."The funeral will be held on Friday, May 12th, 2017, at 8:30 AM, from Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at St. Pius V Church on Eaton Street in Providence on Friday, May 12th, at 10AM. Following the Mass, friends and family are invited to a graveside burial at St. Ann Cemetery in Cranston. Calling hours will be on Thursday, May 11th, from 1-3PM and from 5-9PM.