James Paul Meagher

WESTFIELD, MA-James Paul Meagher 92, of Westfield passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving children, following a long illness. Paul was the son of the late Sylvester and Marion Meagher of Westfield, MA. Paul was born on April 9, 1933. Raised in Westfield, he attended Prospect Hill Elementary School and Westfield High School, graduating in 1951. He excelled in high school sports, proudly representing Westfield on the baseball team and the 1948 & 1949 Peanut Bowl football championships in Columbus, Georgia. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. Paul obtained his Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts and his Master's in education and his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Secondary School Administration from Westfield State University. He spent 36 years as a highly respected educator and administrator in the Southwick Public Schools (Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District), beginning as a History teacher, Vice Principal and Principal, retiring in 1995. He was a founding member of the Southwick Education Association, a member of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, National Education Association, National Council of Social Studies, Western MA Vice Principal's Association, Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association, and the National Secondary School Principals Association. He was very proud of his contributions to the Shurtleff foundation who provides grants to organizations supporting children in the local community. He spent many memorable summers welcoming family and friends to his vacation home in Ocean Park, ME. Paul will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him, especially by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren whom he loved and cherished. In addition to his parents, Paul was pre-deceased by his wife of 57 years, Mary Meagher, and his two sisters; Kathryn Cline and Ruth Puza. He is survived by his son Michael Meagher and his wife Donna of Tolland, CT; and his three daughters; Mary Florek and her husband Jimmy, Kathryn Meagher, Ann Marie Cole and her husband Ron, all of Westfield. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren; Bryan, Kristen and Andrew Meagher; Jennifer Pease, Emily Dorsey and Christopher Florek, David DeLand and Samantha Byrnes; Matthew, Steven and Megan Cole. Paul also leaves his ten beloved great grandchildren; Caleb, Fallyn, Colby, Nathan, Ashton, Callie, Delaney, Dillon, Maeve, and Everette. In addition, he leaves several nieces and nephews all of whom he loved deeply, along with many cherished friends and his new friendships that he made while living at Armbrook Village. Our family would like to thank the incredible staff at Armbrook Village in Westfield and his caregiver, Daniel Lozata of Nova Leap Home Health for their extraordinary kindness and compassion. Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Mary's Church, 30 Mechanic Street. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4-7 PM at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield, MA. Donations may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104 or to the James Paul Meagher Memorial Fund, to benefit Southwick High School graduates pursuing higher education - C/O Ann Cole, 71 Zephyr Drive, Westfield, MA 01085. Firtionadams.com