James J. Mendonca

James J. Mendonca
Loving son, fiance, brother, father, grandfather, uncle and friend
James Mendonca, age 59, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Wednesday, November 13th, at Lowell General Hospital. Born and raised in Lowell, he was the son of Manuel F. Mendonca and Georgette (Tremblay) Mendonca, He attended local schools and was a graduate of Lowell High School, class of 1983. Jim was a member of the Cub Scouts, and played baseball in Shedd Park Little League. He was a member of several local bowling leagues. He also delivered the Lowell Sun paper for several years.
After graduation, Jim began working at Dunrite Drywall, under the guidance of his uncle Albert Grenier, who taught him how to be a master of his craft. Soon, he started his own business, JMC Construction, as a general contractor, building homes and working on several other properties throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Jim took great pride in his work, especially the home he built for his family, in Deerfield, NH. After his health forced him to retire from building, he became an associate with Millbrook Commodities, later UNFI, where he worked as a grocery retailer distributor, supplying merchandise to many local Market Basket stores.
Upon his retirement, Jim moved back to Lowell, to help take care of his parents and younger brother. A New Hampshire boy at heart, he had always hoped to return there one day, to live out the rest of his life in the state he considered his home.
Jim enjoyed working with his hands. If something was broken, he always took on the challenge and somehow found a way to "Jimmy" it, making it better than it was before! Give him a piece of wood, and he could turn it into the most amazing things! He enjoyed refinishing furniture and giving new life to forgotten pieces. Jim loved to cook, in fact, it was his love language. He would often say, "If you love someone, you feed them ". His favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. He always bragged that nobody could cook a turkey like him, and he was right. He enjoyed relaxing out on the porch, coffee and scratch tickets in hand, watching the wildlife in the yard. He could stare at the stars forever, always searching for Orion's Belt. He loved to share stories about his hunting trips up North, his youthful "adventures ", and the animals on his farm. He enjoyed spending time with his brothers and sister, working on cars and in their homes, and nighty trips for coffee with his friends.
Jim's greatest joys were his children and grandchildren. He was so proud of his daughters and all they have accomplished in their lives. He adored his grandchildren, and his face would light up every time he talked about them. He was looking forward to bringing them to the circus just before he passed away.
When he returned to his childhood home, Jim reconnected with Colleen, the once "little girl across the street". Their love story brought them so much happiness, knowing they had finally found the "Love of a Lifetime". They became engaged and were looking forward to spending the rest of their lives together. He will forever live on in her heart.
James is survived by his parents, Manuel F. Mendonca and Georgette (Tremblay) Mendonca, of Lowell, Massachusetts, his fiance Colleen Burke of Lowell, MA, siblings Daniel M. Mendonca and his partner Karen Green of Haverhill, MA, Suzette Singster and her husband Brian of Derry, NH, Manuel F.V. Mendonca of Tewksbury, MA, and Jason V. Mendonca of Salem, NH. He is survived by his daughters Brittany Fletcher and her husband Thomas, of Strafford, NH, Alyson Mendonca of Goffstown, NH, and Nicole Mendonca of Goffstown, NH, his three grandchildren, Madison Fletcher, Aubree Fletcher and Wesley Fletcher, his nieces and nephews Kaylee Mendonca, Corey Mendonca, Celina Singster and Peter Singster, his Godparents, Joseph and Maria Mendonca, along with several great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished friends. He was predeceased by his niece, Brianna Singster, who passed away in 1999.
On Thursday, November 21, 2024 all are welcome to attend his calling hours from 4 - 8 p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell 978-458-6816. His funeral will begin on Friday morning at 10 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Holy Family Parish, 30 Grafton Street, Lowell. Procession will follow for burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery on Boston Road in Lowell. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Children, Shriners Hospitals for Children P.O. Box 1525, Ranson, WV 25438 Please find us on facebook or visit www.McDonoughFuneralHome.com to leave the family a message of condolence at any time.