James H. Beal Jr.

James was born in Cambridge MA, the son of Reverend James Holland Beal and Georgette Appleton Binney Beal. A Massachusetts boy, James’s childhood included Cambridge, Taunton, and New Bedford. He spent many summers in Padanaram enjoying the ocean where his love of sailing was born. Learning the skills from his father on their beloved vessel the Holly G named for his grandmother. James wasn’t academically driven, preferring a more “hands on education”. He proudly joined the military in 1958 serving in the Army as a Corpsman for 3 years, he received his Honorable Discharge.

While on a courier job in Boston, he met a beautiful woman that led to marriage making his life complete. Alice Derby was “the one”. After many weekend ski trips Alice casually asked Jim “what do you think we should do” and Jim replied “I’m not sure.” Alice’s reply was “maybe we should get married?”. In May 1965 they married and began their life journey of husband and wife. A work assignment brought Jim to the seaside town of Scituate and in 1970 they made it their home. In 1973 they welcomed daughter Debbie into their family. The household was completed by an unending succession of golden retrievers and yellow labs.

Jim forged a career as an insurance claims adjuster and was quite an investigative reporter, with a ready knack for asking questions. His real passion though was sailing. His wife Alice adored horses and it was a perpetual family joke that “Jim had Hayfever by her love and she was Seasick by his love”. One thing they always shared together was their daughter Deb's accomplishments on the athletic fields. They were always seen in any kind weather, cheering whatever team Deb was playing on or coaching.

Retirement brought freedom to enjoy cruising the world, from the warm seas of the Caribbean to the glaciers of the Arctic. Jim was always planning the next adventure. When they weren’t traveling, Jim could be found volunteering many hours at The Shriners Hospital for Children in Boston and at The Partnership Program at the YMCA in Hanover. He spent many years embracing the role of “Spinnaker” for the Shriners Clown Unit. Jim always enjoyed making people, especially children, laugh and smile. He also participated in the annual Hingham Cabaret performance and sang with The South Shore Men of Harmony. Freemasonry, which emphasizes brotherhood, ethical principles and personal growth was another passionate vehicle for his community outreach. He loved working with his hands and building model ships became a real love. Alice joked, “it kept him in the workshop and out of her kitchen”. He found joy in puttering about the lawn on his tractor and took great pride in powerwashing anything and everything.

Jim was a Life Honorary Member of Scituate Harbor Yacht Club and spent many hours with Deb and Alice and friends on their sailboat “Kidlet”. Taking friends sailing after church on Sunday became a regular practice. He was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where he served on the Vestry, sang in the choir, and was a regular Usher. You could always spot Jim directing traffic in the busy parking lot at our annual church fair.

Jim’s greatest joy was being a grandfather and he took his role to heart. Although Holly was still young, he made sure she knew “That money doesn’t grow on trees”, “We don’t live in a barn” and most importantly “Family sticks together forever even when the challenges are hard”.

James is survived by his daughter Deborah (Deb) Goodrich Beal and granddaughter Holland (Holly) Derby Beal of Scituate, MA; his brother Boylston Adams (Edna) Beal of Middleton, RI, his sister Josie Beal Stephens of Naples, FL and South Dartmouth MA; his brother in law E. Stephen (Carolyn) Derby of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL as well as many beloved nieces and nephews and extended family members. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Nina (Beal) Gelette, his wife Alice (Derby), his daughter Laura Southmayd Beal and grandchildren Lucy Georgette Beal and William Thornton Beal.

Jim’s life was rich and purposeful and his best times were spent with his family. He will be missed greatly and forever loved. “Anchors Aweigh Captain” 143

A Christian Celebration of Life for Jim will be held at St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 465 First Parish Road, Scituate, MA on Thursday June 26, 2025 at 10:30 in the morning.

Establishing The St Luke’s Memorial Garden was a gift from Jim and Alice’s heart. Please consider donating in his memory “St. Luke’s Memorial Garden” ℅ St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 465 First Parish Road, Scituate MA, 02066.