James Patrick Tierney

TIERNEY, James Patrick Age 55, of Arlington, June 4. Father, brother, son, friend and advocate fought and lived beyond his life expectancy of five years after an accident left him spinal cord injured in 1971. Born and raised in Pawtucket, RI, Jim was traumatically injured at age 15 and spent many years hospitalized and in several rehab and nursing centers. Shortly after his injury, Jim was institutionalized at Zambrano State Hospital in Rhode Island and was instrumental in developing Patient's for Progress, an advocacy movement to improve accessibility and the food at the institution. In 1981 Jimi moved to Boston to participate in Boston Center for Independent Living's Transitional Living Program. The program provided residential housing and skills training to its residents to learn the basics of living independently. After he completed this program he obtained his own apartment and lived independently with Personal Care Attendants. The Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program is a program whereby the disabled individual hires and trains the PCA to perform personal care and assist with activities of daily living to maintain the individual in their own home. Soon after moving to Boston, Jimi began working at Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) as a skills trainer thereby teaching other disabled individuals to live independently. Jimi worked for BCIL full time for many years in several different capacities. Jimi was the epitomy of independence. He never said I can't, and never complained. He took pride in his work, drove a modified van and overcame years of physical ailments that he rallied back from over and over again. Jim met his former wife Mary in 1988 and they married in 1991. They spent several happy years together enjoying each other's company, sharing his philosophy for leading a happy, productive life and traveling. In 1997 he saw the brave battle of his wife through a complicated pregnancy and premature birth of his daughter Kelsey. Kelsey was born in 1997 at 2 lbs and 2 oz. His daughter was his pride and joy and he reveled in her every milestone up until his passing. He leaves his daughter Kelsey Tierney of Arlington, his former wife and confidant Mary Tierney of Arlington, his mother Shirley Brown of Rhode Island, brothers Larry Tierney, Eddie Tierney, John Tierney, Gary Brown and sisters Melissa Brown and Kathy Vorse. Also survived by several nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues. Relatives and friends are invited to visit in The DeVito-O'Donnell Funeral Home, 1145 Mass Avenue, ARLINGTON Tuesday 4:00 to 8:00pm. Funeral services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to Boston Center for Independent Living, 60 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02115. www.devitofuneralhomes.com