Obituary for James J. McClure
James Joseph McClure, 88, of Dalton, passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on December 17, 2020, after a courageous battle with long illness.
Born in Pittsfield on June 26, 1932, he was the son of John J. and Honora (Hughes) McClure. Jim was a 1951 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield, and attended North Adams State College.
He married the former Marion G. Bowerman on May 12, 1956, and then settled in Dalton becoming a lifelong resident.
Jim was employed at General Electric’s Ordinance Division as a Government Property Contract Administrator, retiring after 43 years of service in 1993. He was also a member of the GE Quarter Century Club and the GE Pensioners Club.
Jim McClure had a great passion for his Country and the men and women who served. He was a Veteran of the United States Army 101st Airborne Division. He graduated First in his class with the Surgical Unit of the U.S. Army. He then led the Surgical Ward at Fort. Meade, Maryland, during the Korean War. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Jim was an active member of Dalton American Legion, Post 155, for 54 years and served 10 of those years as Commander. He was then appointed to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Trustees for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA on May 6, 2005 by the former Governor Mitt Romney. He had the honor of being the first recipient of the Gilbert D. Kittredge Memorial Youth Service Award, January 20, 1973 in Dalton, MA. Jim also was Chairman of the Legion’s Past Commander’s Club.
Jim McClure also served his community as Memorial Day Committee Chairman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Irish American Club. He also coached Little League Baseball.
Besides Marion, his beloved wife of 64 years, he is survived by his three children, Kathleen McClure of Dalton, James J. McClure, Jr. of Raleigh, NC and Maureen McClure (Michael Rabenseifner) of Raleigh, NC; his 3 sisters, M. Eileen Miraglia (Joseph, d.), Patricia Hudelston (Kenneth, d.) and Nora Quadrozzi (Donald), all of Pittsfield; He is pre-deceased by his best friend and twin brother, Thomas (Ann, d.) of Canton, CT and his brother, John McClure of Pittsfield.
Jim had many passions and loyalties most of all including his Family, the Dalton American Legion and his friends there and his most constant companions his spaniels, Molly and Maggie. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He also enjoyed his prized 2016 maroon Buick Lacrosse. He was a Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Notre Dame Football fan.
The family would like to thank the staff at Berkshire Medical Center especially Maria S. and Hae Sun C.; the VNA staff, Robyn, Karen and Doug, Cliff at Flynn’s Pharmacy as well as Mount Greylock Care Facility’s Rehab Staff for their thoughtful care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Dalton American Legion, Post #155, 258 North Street, Dalton, MA 01226. In honor of James J. McClure in care of the funeral home, Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA.
Funeral Notice: In light of Covid-19, Services will be private. Dery-Foley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The omission of flowers is requested. There will be no calling hours. Funeral Service will be private for immediate family at St. Agnes Church, Dalton, MA. Burial will follow with full military honors at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The family will have a Memorial Service in June 2021 followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at the Dalton American Legion for all of his many friends and family. Details will be published.
Born in Pittsfield on June 26, 1932, he was the son of John J. and Honora (Hughes) McClure. Jim was a 1951 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Pittsfield, and attended North Adams State College.
He married the former Marion G. Bowerman on May 12, 1956, and then settled in Dalton becoming a lifelong resident.
Jim was employed at General Electric’s Ordinance Division as a Government Property Contract Administrator, retiring after 43 years of service in 1993. He was also a member of the GE Quarter Century Club and the GE Pensioners Club.
Jim McClure had a great passion for his Country and the men and women who served. He was a Veteran of the United States Army 101st Airborne Division. He graduated First in his class with the Surgical Unit of the U.S. Army. He then led the Surgical Ward at Fort. Meade, Maryland, during the Korean War. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Jim was an active member of Dalton American Legion, Post 155, for 54 years and served 10 of those years as Commander. He was then appointed to The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Trustees for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA on May 6, 2005 by the former Governor Mitt Romney. He had the honor of being the first recipient of the Gilbert D. Kittredge Memorial Youth Service Award, January 20, 1973 in Dalton, MA. Jim also was Chairman of the Legion’s Past Commander’s Club.
Jim McClure also served his community as Memorial Day Committee Chairman. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Irish American Club. He also coached Little League Baseball.
Besides Marion, his beloved wife of 64 years, he is survived by his three children, Kathleen McClure of Dalton, James J. McClure, Jr. of Raleigh, NC and Maureen McClure (Michael Rabenseifner) of Raleigh, NC; his 3 sisters, M. Eileen Miraglia (Joseph, d.), Patricia Hudelston (Kenneth, d.) and Nora Quadrozzi (Donald), all of Pittsfield; He is pre-deceased by his best friend and twin brother, Thomas (Ann, d.) of Canton, CT and his brother, John McClure of Pittsfield.
Jim had many passions and loyalties most of all including his Family, the Dalton American Legion and his friends there and his most constant companions his spaniels, Molly and Maggie. Jim was an avid hunter, fisherman and gardener. He also enjoyed his prized 2016 maroon Buick Lacrosse. He was a Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Notre Dame Football fan.
The family would like to thank the staff at Berkshire Medical Center especially Maria S. and Hae Sun C.; the VNA staff, Robyn, Karen and Doug, Cliff at Flynn’s Pharmacy as well as Mount Greylock Care Facility’s Rehab Staff for their thoughtful care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Dalton American Legion, Post #155, 258 North Street, Dalton, MA 01226. In honor of James J. McClure in care of the funeral home, Dery-Foley Funeral Home, 890 E. Main St, Dalton, MA.
Funeral Notice: In light of Covid-19, Services will be private. Dery-Foley Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. The omission of flowers is requested. There will be no calling hours. Funeral Service will be private for immediate family at St. Agnes Church, Dalton, MA. Burial will follow with full military honors at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. The family will have a Memorial Service in June 2021 followed by a Celebration of Life Reception at the Dalton American Legion for all of his many friends and family. Details will be published.