James F Sawaya Obituary in Rockland at Magoun-Biggins

Obituaries

James F Sawaya

Passed 01/02/2021

Obituary For James F Sawaya

James Ferris Sawaya (Jim) of Rockland, Massachusetts passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 2 at the age of 95. He was ten days shy of his 96th birthday. Jim was born in Boston's South End on January 12, 1925 to Lebanese immigrant parents, the late Joseph and Yamna (Shwirey) Sawaya. He was predeceased by his three younger siblingsâ€”Ferris Sawaya, Mitchell Sawaya and Selma "Tootsie" Sawaya. Jim grew up on Shawmut Ave, until his parents bought a rooming house on Union Park. It was in this house on Union Park that Jim learned the many "Mr. Fixit" skills that he would use later in life.

Jim attended the Rice Elementary School in the South End and then went on to Boston English High School, where he played football. While in high school, a friend introduced him to his future wife, Dorothy "Dottie" Sheehan, who was also from the South End. The two of them loved going dancing. They loved to dance so much that later in life, they would be referred to as "Fred and Ginger". In 1942, Dottie attended his senior prom and graduation. Not long after his graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Army. As a member of the 78th Army Corp of Engineers Combat Battalion, Jim was sent to the Philippines and then to Japan. While he was serving in WWII, Dottie waited for him back at home.

About a year after his discharge from the Army, Jim married Dottie on June 22, 1947. They lived in a few apartments in the South End before buying a three family block house on Union Park Street. Their 3 children were raised in that house. The family would live there until 1974, when they moved to Rockland, Massachusetts. In Rockland, Jim and his wife attended Holy Family Church. Jim became a member of the Abington VFW and the Rockland Knights of Columbus. Later he joined the Rockland VFW. After he retired, he worked for various funeral homes in the area. Of all the jobs he had in his lifetime, working and meeting people at funerals gave his life a new purpose. Jim had a way about him that would draw people into an uplifting conversation at a time when he knew they needed it.

In August of 2019, after 72 years of marriage, Jim's wife Dottie passed away. He missed her terribly but he kept himself going by spending his mornings at the Rockland Senior Center having coffee with his friends, daily Facetime visits with his grandchildren and great- grandchildren, Saturday trips to Walmart and Lowe's with his son Jimmy and daily visits from his daughter June.

Jim had three children - Jane (Sawaya) O'Connor who passed away in August 1988; June (Sawaya) Manning and her husband, Tom, of Rockland; and James J. Sawaya also of Rockland. There are 6 grandchildren surviving him â€“ Kellie O'Connor, Jimmy O'Connor, SinÃ©ad (Manning) Parsons, Deirdre Manning, Tommy Manning and Derek Sawaya. He also has five great grandchildren â€“ Cassandra Logan, Tristan Doherty, Landon O'Connor, Hunter Parsons and Mason Parsons. Jim is also survived by his sister-in-law, Vivian Sawaya, and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project: www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, services for Jim will be private. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

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05/25/2021

Kevin Whittemore

June, Tom, Jim and family: It was my honor to have known Jim these last few years. Picking him up in the morning made his day, as well as mine. His was truly the Greatest Generation! RIP my friend you earned.
05/25/2021

Cheryl Doyle

I'm so sorry for your loss as Jim was a truly wonderful guy. I moved into Leisurewoods across the street from Jim 3 years ago. We had many interesting conversations about his life and I was always impressed with how sharp his memory was. He will be truly missed in the neighborhood.
05/25/2021

Janet Ghattas

Our very deepes sympathies to the family of James F. Sawaya. May he rest in peace. Janet Ghattas and John Hand
05/25/2021

Wendy Potter

I am so sorry for you loss. Dottie and Jim were such special to me. I got to know them so well when I took care of Dottie's Mom, Jennie, at SSNF. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
05/25/2021

Donna MacDonald

Jim never forgot who you were >He was sharp as a tack. Rip JIm
05/25/2021

Janine Cannizzaro

I must say June, I will not forget your parents.. the infamous BINGO players! I am so sorry for your loss, I miss them both.. Hoping to be on the guest list for your dads celebration of life. God bless you and your loving family.
05/25/2021

Bob Coughlin

June and family, please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your Dad. Jimmy always struck me as a man's man, but with a very soft heart and sharp wit. I love recalling him and Dottie stopping by one day when i was out front doing some yard work. With a huge smile and a wink he told me he was on a date, taking his "sweetheart" to Peaceful Meadows for her favorite ice cream. I too will miss seeing him around especially sitting up back in the aisle of Holy Family. Your dad was a good man, a loving man, a faith filled man and a friend to everyone that met him. May your faith carry you through these rough times and into happier times recalling his love and the joy he brought to you all. Peace & love.
05/25/2021

Jack Wentworth

I am very sorry to hear that Jim has passed away. Before moving to Florida I would always sit in the back of the church on Sunday morning mass in front of Jim and Dot. They were both such wonderful people and are now reunited in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and many loved ones.
05/25/2021

Dr Mike Fortuin

I am saddened at the loss of Jim. I met him at the Senior Men's Club at the Rockland Senior Center. I made a point to shake the hand of this wonderful and proud American and World War Two Veteran at every meeting he attended. I have not been a resident of Rockland for long, but feel I have lost a friend. I am honored to have known Jim and I will miss him.