James Herlihy

Falmouth - James J. Herlihy, husband of Alice T. Herlihy and a resident of Falmouth By the Sea died peacefully on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the age of 91. He was a communicant of Holy Martyrs Church in Falmouth.

Jim, a respected businessman, was born on November 27, 1918 in New York City to the late Helen Canniff and Robert Herlihy. He spent his youth in New York City and was a 1943 graduate of Columbia University.

In 1943, Jim enlisted in the Navy as a midshipman and was sent to the Navy Supply Corps School at Harvard Business School. He was a combat veteran stationed in the Asian-Pacific Theater during World War II, remained an officer in the Naval Reserve for a number of years after the War and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant.

It was in 1944 while studying at Harvard that Jim met his future wife, Alice Blessington. They married on May 3, 1947 after Jim returned from his WWII duties. Alice and Jim were life partners in every sense and shared much in their 63 years together – their love of children as they raised a family and their role as grandparents, their strong work ethic evidenced by their successful business which they established and operated for over 30 years, and their community contributions through church and volunteer work.

Jim and Alice resided in North Haven, Connecticut for 35 years. He was the Connecticut representative for a national twist drill and machine company. In l964, with an entrepreneurial spirit, Jim and Alice established the J.J. Herlihy Company and together worked tirelessly to support their family. Jim continued to be well known for his integrity, client service and expertise in the cutting tool industry.

In 1991, Jim and Alice retired to Maine where they are both well known for their contributions to the local community. A longstanding member of SCORE’s Portland chapter, Jim worked with colleagues to provide business advice to those looking to expand or start a business in Southern Maine.

Sports were an important past time for Jim. As a youth, he played stickball and basketball on the streets of New York City and was a pitcher in the Catholic Baseball League. Jim had a number of “ standout memories” which he liked to recount – in particular were stories of his delight in watching Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth playing at Yankee Stadium. He remained a passionate Yankees fan while Alice maintained her allegiance to the Red Sox – a healthy tension and source of much humor throughout their marriage.

Surviving, are his wife, Alice, with whom he shared a love affair for over 63 years, his children, Susan E. Flaherty of Cumberland, Ellen Herlihy of Melbourne, Australia, Stephen B. Herlihy of Madison, Ct., Mark C. Herlihy of Southbury, Ct., and Elise Herlihy of Los Angeles, Ca. and eight grandchildren.

The family deeply appreciates the prayers, exceptional loving care and support Jim received from Dr. Richard Marino and the Falmouth by the Sea ‘family’. They also extend special thanks to the compassionate Hospice of Southern Maine team.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Thursday October 14, 2010 at Holy Martyrs Church, Falmouth Foreside

Interment with military honors will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls, P.O. Box 65, New Gloucester Maine, 04260

Arrangements are being handled by the Lindquist Funeral Home One Mayberry Lane Yarmouth.

For additional information and to sign Jim’s guestbook please go to www.lindquistfuneralhome.com.