OBITUARY: James P. McCue, 90, of Woburn

James P. “Jim” McCue III, passed away Friday October 7th at his home amongst his beloved family. The devoted husband of the late Mary E. (Angelini) McCue, he was ninety years of age.

Born in Woburn, he was the oldest of eight children born to the late James P. and Viola (Carter) McCue Jr. Raised in the South End of the city, Jim was educated in Woburn but in 1941 his education was interrupted as duty called. He responded to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, left high school before graduation and headed to Boston to enlist in the Marines. Jim met a friend on the train also headed to Boston to enlist. Upon arriving in Boston, both gentleman enlisted in the United States Navy! He served his country proudly as the Quarter Master of the USS Waldren destroyer and DE USS Canfield. Through out the War Jim travelled to the Battle of Coral Sea, Saipan, Iwo Jima to support the Marine landings, where he saw the United States Flag raised, Okinawa, Tokyo Bay for the surrender of the Japanese and walked through Hiroshima. Jim was very proud to be an American serving his country the best way he knew how, and always celebrated the fact of being a very proud veteran.

When Jim returned from the war he began working with his grandfather in his plastering business. This he did for a good number of years, later working as a letter carrier and but never giving up his plastering.

Upon returning from the War, Jim and a few friends had gone to Wakefield to a dance. There, he had the pleasure of dancing the night away with a young lady named Mary Angelini. At the end of the evening he had no pen to write her number down so he quickly, lit and blew out a match then used the carbon to write down the number! Well the following year they were married in Wakefield, made their home right here in Woburn, where they brought four loving children into the world.

Jim followed his children throughout all their academic and sporting ventures. He was very much an advocate for his children playing sports. Whether it was in jr. high, high school and college, if there was some activity or sporting event, he was right there front and center!

As the children grew and their family grew “Bunka” established a very close relationship with each grandchild as they arrived. He really enjoyed being with his family and now with the grandchildren, that was the best! He led by example about the necessity, strength and the love of family.

Gardening was both a pleasure and passion and pansies were his all time favorite. He had a huge garden in the back yard where his children and grandchildren would assist him throughout the season digging them up and carrying them up and over the berm, to the front of the house, to be sold. Vegetables were also plentiful throughout the season, shared amongst the family and friends.

Both he and Mary enjoyed the fruits of his labor over the years, traveling to Ireland, Italy and throughout Europe. Boca Raton was the place to be for the winters for over twenty one years. They entertained family and friends throughout the years and had established a wonderful group of friends there. They also shared a wonderful friendship with many Woburnites, enjoying breakfast every morning with his “breakfast crew!”

A very hard working, strong willed and kind gentleman, Jim was so very proud of his family. Having the opportunity to share so much valuable time with his children and grandchildren, he led by example over the years, teaching them life’s lessons each day.

Sadly, Jim was predeceased by parents, wife Mary and siblings Daniel McCue, Barbara McCue, Marjorie McCue, Jenette Dalessio.

Jim is lovingly survived by his children James P. McCue IV, Deborah L. McDonough her husband Steve, Wayne Samuel McCue, his wife Karol R., Stevan M. McCue all of Woburn, Devoted brother of Robert McCue, of Concord, David McCue, his wife Tracy of RI., Shirly Forester, her husband Frank of NH. Special "Bunka" to Kristine and Michael Ruggiero, Stephanie and Joseph O’Neil, Michael, Timothy, Jillian McDonough, Katie and Matthew Morgan, Jaclyn McDonough, Kurt, Kara, Chad, Elyse, Andrea, James, Alison, Johanna, McCue, and 14 great grandchildren, also survived by thirty fivenieces and nephews.

A Funeral will be held from the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, 263 Main Street, Woburn Wednesday Oct. 12, at 9 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Barbara’s Church, 138 Cambridge Rd.,Woburn at 10. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to calling hours Tuesday, Oct. 11th from 4 - 8 p.m. Internment in Woodbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Jim’s memory to Children’s Hospital Oncology Dept. 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, Ma. 02115

Obituary and image courtesy of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home