JAMES MCGREW

McGREW, James Age 79, born in Richmond, VA on February 22, 1946, to Dorothy and Elmer Eugene McGrew, James was the middle child of three siblings. His younger sister, Karen, still resides there; and his older brother, Gene, predeceased him by six years. Upon graduation from Benedictine Military Academy, James spent three years with the religious community, Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, where he began his nursing studies and his long association with Boston hospitals, 42 years of which were at Tufts Medical Center. True to form, James met the love of his life, Patricia Vesey, a co-worker at St. John's. They were privileged to revel in 56 years of marriage until his sudden illness and untimely death from a cardiomyopathy on June 4. He was an incredible husband, an exceptional father to their two children, Kris (Craig) and Jamie, and a munificent Jiddo to four grandchildren, Liam, Evie, Sage and Eden. The family lived in Stoneham for 30 years, and James spent many years on the school board, as a volunteer in classroom projects and field trips, and even speaking to many classes about being a nurse. He was deeply involved in the life of St. Patrick Church, serving as Eucharistic Minister, and lector. For the last 25 years of James's life, we lived at the sea in Rockport. We believe all who knew him knew James lived a life well lived. Visiting Hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, GLOUCESTER, on Friday, June 27, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., in St. Joachim's Church, Rockport. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Phillips Avenue residence. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to The Open-Door Food Pantry, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930 or to The Law Stroud Foundation, P.O. Box 769, Rockport, MA 01966 (online at https://www.lawstroudfoundation.org/) For an extended obituary and online condolences please visit www.greelyfuneralhome.com

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