James McGrew Obituary
It is with immense sadness that we bid farewell to an exceptional person who embodied the virtues of kindness, patience, and devoted service to others. His profession of nursing was more of vocation then occupation and he dedicated 45 years to the healing process of his valued patients.
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, pre-deceased 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 4th. 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.
The family loved the ocean, and sailing thus, in 2001 built their "Sea Dream" in Rockport. A skilled craftsman, James did much of the interior finish work and delighted in the beauty of our new home. He became an active weekly volunteer at the Grace Center.
In the few short months before his passing, we were graced with time to share with James many of his favorite memories: joyful, playful summer vacations in N H swimming, boating, snorkeling and of course playing cards and eating smores; winter weeks spent at Los Cabos, loving the beauty and climate of the costal desert; trips he took with Patricia to Russia, Japan, Venezuela, and many countries in Europe; our family's first European trip that included maternal grandparents where we stayed in Maastricht and travelled to surrounding countries where we delighted in a variety of meaningful experiences. These times were so loved by James and all of us.
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.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in his name to The Open-Door Food Pantry, 28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.
