James A. McAuley, 89, of Barnstable passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026 after a period of declining health. Youngest child of Anastasia(Cosgrove) and Thomas McAuley, he was born in Boston on February 7, 1937.
Raised in Quincy, he graduated from Boston College High School in 1954 as well as Boston College class of 1958 with a B.S. degree in Physics. His 38 year working career was spent in Research and Development at the Gillette Safety Razor Company, South Boston.
After living 32 years in South Weymouth raising our five children, we realized our dream for retirement & moved to Barnstable in 1996. Jim was a member of the Retired Men’s Club of Cape Cod as well as a Transport Volunteer at Cape Cod Hospital.
Quiet by nature, he loved meeting new people & their dogs on his many walks in the village.
He loved the outdoors, golf, fishing, walking, being at Millway Beach. He was mechanical and loved to fix things. Jim loved all kinds of music especially Jazz and any entertainment that the cape had to offer. He was a reader of history & mysteries, especially. A lover of Boston sports teams, especially Bruins.
Jim loved to travel whether for business or pleasure and to experience the cuisines of different countries. Jim was patient, kind, sincere, trustworthy, helpful, uncomplaining a true friend.
He took great pleasure in supporting his children & grandchildren in whatever interested them. His great-grandson Eamon was the apple of his eye.
He’s survived by his wife of 63years, Linda, sons James of Pawtucket, RI, Thomas (Sinead) of Duxbury, Michael (Helen) of Somerville, daughter Christine Deschaine (Jason) of Milford, Ct. He was also the father of the late Kevin McAuley. Grandchildren: Caitlin Martinez, Meaghan, James, Grace, Ciara, & Sofia McAuley & Reilly, Aidan, & Conlan Deschaine.
Our lives won’t be the same without him but we take comfort in knowing he is at peace & with Kevin.
Visitation will be held at Doane Beal & Ames, 160 W Main St, Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601, on Monday, April 20, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Victory Church, 230 S Main St, Centerville, MA 02632, on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11:00 am.
The McAuley family is specifically asking that instead of flowers you will consider a donation to the critical work of the Cape Cod Alzheimer's Family Support Center, 2095 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631 - www.alzfamilysupport.org
