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IN OUR CARE Arthur John “Artty” Kinsman, 81, of Concord and Arlington, MA (December 15, 1944 – March 5, 2026), passed aw...
03/12/2026

IN OUR CARE
Arthur John “Artty” Kinsman, 81, of Concord and Arlington, MA (December 15, 1944 – March 5, 2026), passed away peacefully.

He was the son of the late John A. and Margaret (Quinn) Kinsman and the stepson of the late Edna (Hicks) Kinsman. Artty was the devoted husband of 57 years to Corinne (Price) Kinsman, formerly of Medford, and the dedicated father of John Kinsman.

In addition to his wife and son, he leaves behind two grandsons, Oscar and Sam (along with their dogs, Hooper and Ozzie). He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Lindsay McConchie, and her loving family. Artty leaves brothers- and sisters-in-law Joel and Marg Price of New Hampshire, and James (“Rick”) and Cathy Price of New Jersey, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves his dear childhood companion, Kathy Schiavo of Everett, and his oldest friend, John Harrison of Medford and Woburn.

Artty served as president of three organizations where he spent many happy hours with friends: the Concord Rod & Gun Club, Concord Youth Theatre, and The Concord Players.

A 1963 graduate of Mt. St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI, Artty was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He retired from Mt. Auburn Hospital after 50 years of service, leaving behind many dear friends.

Family and friends will gather for a celebration of life on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Concord Rod & Gun Club, 74 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Artty’s memory may be made to the GoFundMe page supporting beloved Concord Youth Theatre teen Emma Robertson: https://gofund.me/08a2be28e

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IN OUR CARE Kenneth Edward Pauley, age 89, passed away on February 5th, 2O26 at the Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massach...
03/08/2026

IN OUR CARE
Kenneth Edward Pauley, age 89, passed away on February 5th, 2O26 at the Emerson Hospital in Concord, Massachusetts. He was born on June 15, 1936 in Boston. Ken was the fourth and last child of Charles F. Pauley, a Locksmith, and Mary E. Mozdziez, a refugee from Poland.

Ken is survived by his wife, Lucy Kirshner of Acton, MA, and his 2 children, Mark Pauley of Hudson, MA, and Heidi Meadows of Green Mt, North Carolina. Kenneth had 3 grandchildren.

As a young boy, Ken’s parents were the center of his life. Both his father and mother instilled the values of hard work and doing jobs well. His parents also recognized that each of their boys had different interests and that they could help them. They saw from the start that Ken liked to be outdoors. With that start, for the rest of his life, Ken always finished what he started and worked hard on them. Ken was full of interests, but his greatest passion, the one that captured his interest most, was his love for exploring animals in the natural world. This became a defining characteristic of his being. In those years, he learned, had fun, and got into mischief. Ken’s father helped him make homes for turtles and raccoons, and even for a bear. Often, Ken put a jumping spider in his shirt to play with it when the teacher wasn’t looking.

Ken found the Museum of Science in Boston when he was a teenager, and he was never far from it. He and a friend were given keys to get into the Museum early to feed the animals before visitors were let in. They also found snakes for the Museum to show. Along with the Museum, Ken loved summer camps. He started as a child himself and eventually led camps, some for children and once for a camp for blind adults. All this time, Ken was watching, learning, and teaching himself. There were so many things for him to learn, including fishing, hunting, and boating, and he took time for all of those.

During his first marriage, when he had children, there were responsibilities, and Ken tried selling cars. He found those workdays long and hard, and while he did earn money and he enjoyed some friends, the hot clothes and grind of it all were not fun for him. Fun was important for Ken. He left that job going back to the Museum. It wasn’t as lucrative but he was much happier.

When Ken came back to the Museum of Science, he stayed for 43 years. He taught live animal presentations and gave courses for children and their parents. Ken became intimate with the Museum’s legends like Spooky the Owl, and he was also eager to introduce visitors to the Theatre of Electrical Science. Brad Washburn had been the head of the museum, and he wanted to make visitors understand what science is about. Ken understood this. He had been observing, asking questions, thinking, and encouraging his own ideas. The Museum allowed Ken to be a teacher and a perpetual student himself.

One of the best things about Ken as a teacher was that he had fun. He brought a cow into the Museum one day and allowed young children to try to get milk from her. Science in school can be full of intimidating vocabulary, but Ken talked in everyday words and even with funny ideas. His curiosity and even his sense of humor kept visitors listening.

Ken’s Boston roots were as strong as his Boston accent, but East Africa got into his blood and held a firm grip on his heart. The idea of Africa had fascinated him since he was a little boy and when he finally went there, the reality was even more fascinating. Through the Museum, Ken led many groups on trips to Tanzania, sharing his observations and excitement while making life-long friends.

Ken Pauley retired, but he never really grew up. There was still more time for him to learn. His first two wives must have had the strength to live through his vibrant, fun, but sometimes uncomfortable ideas. His third wife, Lucy Kirshner, who worked at the Museum and shared Ken’s ideas, moved to a pond where Ken designed their final house. It looked out to the woods and water. With chipmunks and bobcats, among hundreds of animals, trees that needed work, and a few more visits to Africa, it was great, but never enough time.

Services will be private

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IN OUR CARE Marcia Lee Puryear died peacefully on March 2nd, 2026, in hospice care in the comfort of her apartment in Wa...
03/05/2026

IN OUR CARE
Marcia Lee Puryear died peacefully on March 2nd, 2026, in hospice care in the comfort of her apartment in Wayland. She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 27th, 1942. She spent much of her childhood growing up in the suburb of River Forest, Illinois. She spent summers in Saugatuck, Michigan, and Chautauqua, New York, with her grandparents and extended family.

Marcia received her Bachelors Degree in Speech Pathology from Michigan State University, and later her Masters Degree in Deaf Education, also at MSU. In college, Marcia met the love of her life, Gary Puryear. After graduating from college, Gary enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Wildfleken, Germany. Marcia saw an opportunity for a job at Ramstein Air Force Base, Kaiserslautern, Germany, and took it to be near Gary. She taught children who were deaf or hard of hearing in the elementary and middle schools on the base and enjoyed exploring Europe with Gary on their days off.

After returning home to the US, Marcia and Gary married in 1970 and ultimately settled in Concord, MA, to start their family. Marcia continued her teaching career, specializing in teaching hearing-impaired children and then in English as a Second Language in the Concord public school system. Her commitment to her students was deeply personal, and her students and their families were always sharing their appreciation of her efforts to guide and teach with patience and dedication.

Though she admitted she was not always athletic growing up (aside from some synchronized swimming and horseback riding), in her early 40’s, Marcia developed a love for running, which blossomed into a passion. She identified herself as a runner and developed a network of friends, coaches, and even race “rivals” as she became a formidable competitor across the New England running community and beyond. Marcia tackled over a dozen marathons (including Boston, San Francisco, New Orleans, New York, and Chicago) across the United States and countless half marathons, 10K’s, 5K’s, races to the peak of Mt. Washington, and elite international track competitions with the Liberty Athletic Club. She often placed first in her age group and strove to improve her personal best times across races and distances. Almost every weekend for decades, she was a fixture with the Concord Runners, where she developed life-long friendships that were deeply important to her. Marcia inspired her children to be runners as well, and over the years, ran several races with them and even her young grandchildren.

Marcia and Gary traveled often, with friends and family to destinations such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru, Chile, Bermuda, and even a trip through Europe with the Concord Minutemen. With school aged kids, Marcia and Gary planned ski trips and other adventures with friends, traveling in multi-family groups on school breaks. Together Marcia and Gary also spent summer days at their second house in Rockport Massachusetts, before selling and buying a house that became their retirement retreat - “Wit’s End” in Cape Cod. Marcia always looked forward to celebrating the 4th of July Cape Cod style with her grandkids every year, planning activities and celebrating every moment together with them. She adored her grandchildren and created endless special moments with them.

Throughout her life she loved music, especially choir and symphony (or Neil Diamond and Elton John), always worked to stay connected with family and friends, found special meaning in even the small things in life, and had a terrific sense of humor. Her laugh and love will be terribly missed.

Marcia is survived by her daughter Kristen Puryear (Sean Donohue), her son Corey Puryear (Wendy), her grandchildren Maeve, Ellia, Morgan, and Carson, her sister Marilyn Slattery, her brother William McCollum (Diane Pyshos), and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and Friends will gather to honor and remember Marcia for a period of visitation on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA. In addition, the funeral service will be held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm St., Concord, MA. Burial is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA, at 11:15 am.

The funeral will also be livestreamed via... Information to be announced.

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IN OUR CARE  Rev. Steven Michael Seminerio of Concord, MA, and East Haverhill, NH, passed away on February 23, 2026, in ...
03/01/2026

IN OUR CARE
Rev. Steven Michael Seminerio of Concord, MA, and East Haverhill, NH, passed away on February 23, 2026, in Concord, MA, at age 100.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marilyn; sisters and brothers-in-law Ann DeSalvatore (Patrick) and Helen Goodwin (Ronald), sister and brother Vincenzina and John, who each died as children; and a nephew, Robert DeSalvatore (survived by Linda).

Steven was born on January 31, 1926, in Everett, Massachusetts, the son of the late Andrew and Santina (Pennio) Seminerio, both immigrants from Sicily who established a successful tailor shop in their new country.

At Everett High School he played basketball and was a State shot put qualifier, graduating in 1943. He completed a semester of pre-medical studies at Boston University before enlisting in the Navy during World War II. After boot camp in Sampson, NY, and medical training at Camp Lejeune, NC, he was selected to join the 6th Marine Corps Division as a corpsman (medic), and saw combat duty in Guadalcanal, Okinawa, Guam, and China.

After the war, he re-enrolled at BU, changed his course of studies to pre-ministerial, and met his wife-to-be, Marilyn Langmaid, in the Chapel Choir. They graduated together from the School of Liberal Arts on June 5, 1949. (Steve was honored as one of fifteen BU “Hall of Fame” seniors.) He was already serving as assistant pastor at Glendale Methodist, his home church in Everett.

Six days after graduation, he and Marilyn married on June 11, 1949; and he began his full-time ministry as a summer youth counselor/chaplain at Asbury Grove Christian Camp Meeting in Hamilton MA. In 1950, he was ordained as a Deacon, and in 1953, he graduated from BU’s School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree.

As a United Methodist minister, Rev. Steve pastored Massachusetts parishes in Somerville, West Medford, Marblehead, Saugus, Melrose and Wayland, with his special talent for bringing people together. He sang duets with Marilyn and soloed in church cantatas. He served nine years as Secretary of Evangelism for the Lynn District, and as chair of the New England Conference Board of Evangelism. For over 16 years he was a staff member and director at Rolling Ridge Methodist youth center in Andover MA.

In 1965 the New England Conference awarded Steve the coveted Stowell Scholarship to spend five weeks in the Holy Land and India. His church (St. Stephens in Marblehead) raised funds for Marilyn to join him afterwards for a three-week tour of Europe.

“Retiring” in 1992, he and Marilyn moved to Marilyn’s family homestead in East Haverhill NH, where he began a second chapter of pastoral service. For years he had been holding summer vesper services in the East Haverhill UM Church, and soon found himself in demand as interim pastor at local churches - North Haverhill UM, Bradford UCC, Thetford Hill UCC, West Newbury UCC, Orford UCC, Moultonborough UM, Wells River UCC, and Newbury UCC. He was also a popular Sunday service guest preacher at area churches including Corinth UCC, Windsor UCC and Haverhill UCC. As an active member of Haverhill VFW Post 5245 he often served as Chaplain.

In 2007, Steve and Marilyn began wintering at Newbury Court, a senior community in Concord MA, where on June 11, 2024 they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary with family and friends.

On November 6, 2024 Steve was awarded the Golden Cane Award from the United Methodist Church, as the longest-serving pastor in the New England Conference.

He is survived by his beloved four children, Alison Rupert (Richard) of Hughesville PA, Andrew Seminerio (June) of Melrose MA, Steven Seminerio Jr. of Melrose MA, and Susan Strakus (Michael) of Lynn MA; granddaughter Juliana Seminerio Eramo (Mark) and great-granddaughters Serafina and Forza of Andover MA; grandson Matthew Seminerio (Emily) and great-grandsons Montgomery and Maxwell of Medfield MA; grandson Michael Strakus (Nicole) and great-granddaughter Jasmine of Clinton MA; grandson Paul Strakus (Penny) of Beverly MA; nephews Richard DeSalvatore (Karen) of Woburn MA, Andrew Goodwin (Marcy) of Marshfield MA, and Michael Goodwin (Michelle) and grandnieces/nephew Faith, Zachary and Giana of North Easton MA, niece Lydia Caros of St. Paul MN and grandnieces Eleni AyoCaros (James) of St. Paul MN and Kyra AyoCaros (Scott) of Boston; niece Cindy Caros of Grantham NH and grandniece Chelsea George of Merrimack NH.

Steve’s family, friends and parishioners will fondly remember his warm inclusive pastoring, his passion for sports (as player or spectator), his Marine Corps pride, his devotion to Marilyn, his life-long morning ritual of marking Bible chapters with red pencil, and most of all - the way he brought the fun to so many gatherings, lighting up the room with his love of people.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Steve on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in Duvall Chapel, 80 Deaconess Road, Concord.

A May 2026 graveside memorial service in East Haverhill, NH, is being planned under the care of Ricker Funeral Home, Woodsville, NH 03785 (603) 747-2717 http://www.rickerfh.com/

For those who wish to attend services remotely, please visit the livestream link below five minutes before the scheduled service time: Livestream Link: https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/541148

In lieu of flowers, the family offers two suggestions for memorial donations:
VA Bedford Healthcare System
CDCE (135)
200 Springs Road
Bedford, Massachusetts 01730
(Write check payable to "Bedford VA" with “In memory of Steven Seminerio” on the memo line.)

Newbury Court
c/o Spiritual Life Department
100 Newbury Court
Concord, MA 01742
(Write check payable to “NEDA” with “Spiritual Life Fund in memory of Steven Seminerio on the memo line.)

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IN OUR CARE Susan Hill Birge died on February 16th, 2026 at her home in Concord, MA. She is survived by her husband of 6...
02/19/2026

IN OUR CARE
Susan Hill Birge died on February 16th, 2026 at her home in Concord, MA. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Walter W. Birge III, her son, Jesse Birge, her nephew Peter Black, and her sister Ellen Senich. She is predeceased by her mother Eleanor Lucas, her father Charles Hill, and her stepfather Walter Lucas.

She was born in Cambridge, MA at Mount Auburn hospital in 1939. Her childhood was spent living with her maternal grandparents in Belmont, MA. She moved to Woodstock, CT where she attended Woodstock Academy, winning top academic awards in various subjects. Susan attended Radcliffe College and received her A.B. from Harvard Extension in 1983. While at Radcliffe, she was an active volunteer at Phillips Brooks House in Cambridge where she met her soon to be husband Walter who asked her to type a paper he had written as his typing skills were poor. She continued to support the organization throughout her life.

After living in Wilton, CT, Walter and Susan moved to New York City in 1970 when Walter became a headmaster at the Town School. In the 12 years that they lived in Manhattan, Susan enjoyed walking around the city, going to Bloomingdale’s, and taking the bus to Lord & Taylor.

Susan moved to Concord when Walter became the headmaster of The Fenn School. While in Concord, Susan volunteered at the Concord Public Library, attended Trinity Church, and quilted with Concord Piecemakers Quilt Guild. She was also a skilled needle worker and had chaired a large needlepoint project at the Church of the Epiphany while in New York.

One of Susan’s greatest pleasures were her summers on Nantucket living in a house that she helped design in 1970. She enjoyed working on the Sunday NYT crossword puzzle, was an avid reader, loved football, and never missed an episode of Jeopardy!

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Susan for her funeral service on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am in Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street, Concord. A reception will follow in the parish hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be made to:
Phillips Brooks House
1 Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-5526
www.pbha.org

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Susan Dee (“Shona”) Keller, of Lincoln, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, at the age of 73.Born...
02/16/2026

Susan Dee (“Shona”) Keller, of Lincoln, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2026, at the age of 73.

Born on November 29, 1952, in Chicago, Shona lived a life rooted in compassion, gentleness, and love. She was a devoted practitioner of Reiki healing and a dedicated social worker, offering comfort, presence, and quiet strength to all who sought her care. Whether through her professional work or her healing practice, she served others with deep empathy and unwavering kindness. Her work was not simply what she did — it was an expression of who she was: intuitive, generous of spirit, and profoundly compassionate.

Shona held deep respect and admiration for her father, whom she regarded as an integrous man whose character and moral clarity shaped her own understanding of how to live. She carried his example with her throughout her life and, in turn, was an integrous woman—guided by honesty, principle, and a steadfast commitment to doing what was right.

Shona had a special and enduring love for animals, cherishing their companionship and the simple joy they brought to her life. She adored her beloved cat, Pimento, whose presence and memory continued to comfort her even after his passing, and she carried a tenderness for all living beings.

She was a familiar and cherished presence in her beloved Todd Pond Condo Community in Lincoln. Shona could often be found walking the neighborhood roads, greeting neighbors, and sharing warm conversations with friends. Her daily walks were not just exercise, but a ritual of connection — a way to stay close to the people and place she loved.

Shona’s life was a testament to quiet grace, integrity, and heartfelt generosity. She will be remembered for her gentle smile, her listening heart, her strong sense of principle, and the calm reassurance she brought into the lives of so many.

There will be no formal memorial service. A gathering of friends may be organized at a later date to celebrate Shona’s life and the love she shared so freely.

She leaves behind a community of friends and neighbors who will miss her deeply and carry forward the kindness and integrity she so consistently embodied.

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IN OUR CARE Carol McConville Dwyer, age 88 and a long-time resident of Concord, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026, ...
02/14/2026

IN OUR CARE
Carol McConville Dwyer, age 88 and a long-time resident of Concord, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2026, at home surrounded by her family. Carol McConville was born on February 8, 1937, in Framingham, Massachusetts, the only child of the late Francis J. and Janet L. (Howell) McConville. She grew up just a few houses down from her five beloved cousins, whom she thought of as sisters until the day she passed.

As a girl, Carol enjoyed riding, swimming, and competing in ice skating at the Boston Skating Club. After winning the New England Juveniles at 12, she continued to share her love of skating: participating in the annual Ice Chips show, teaching local kids to skate in Franconia, New Hampshire, and training for a sit-spin on her 60th birthday.

Her greatest joy in youth was attending Camp Bob-o-link in summer, first as a camper and later as a counselor. She carried the friendships and memories from Bob-o-link throughout her life, and always sought similar opportunities for others.

Carol attended Beaver Country Day School, Smith College and went on to study landscape architecture at Radcliffe. She met her husband, James L. Dwyer, amidst the halcyon ski club culture of the 1950s and early 60s and together they spent 50 years hiking and skiing in the white mountains of New Hampshire.

She was a devoted member of the First Parish in Concord, and later in life became an activist for peace and social justice. After serving on the Concord Planning Board in the 1970’s she continued to work against pollution and for the protection and conservation of land.

Throughout it all, she documented the lives of everyone she met in photographs, video, and interviews. More than anything, she showed a deep interest in people and sincerely felt that their triumphs and tragedies were important and deserved to be recognized and remembered.

Carol is survived by her four children, Sean Dwyer of Ringe, NH; Peter Dwyer of Santa Fe, NM; Katherine Dwyer of Harvard, MA; and Cullen Dwyer of Lunnenburg, MA, and her three grandchildren, Khira, Rowan, and Taliah.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Carol for her memorial service on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 am at the First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord. Burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will be private.

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IN OUR CARE Janet Andersen Stuart, age 85, of Plymouth Ma, MA, formerly of Acton and Concord, MA, passed away peacefully...
02/10/2026

IN OUR CARE
Janet Andersen Stuart, age 85, of Plymouth Ma, MA, formerly of Acton and Concord, MA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Born in Concord, ma, on August 2nd, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Krist and Marjorie Schneider Andersen.

Janet graduated from Concord High School and later earned her degree from King's College in New York. After college, she worked for a few years as a secretary at General Radio Corp in Concord, Mass.

Janet got married and moved to Acton. She devoted herself fully to her role as a mother and homemaker. She enjoyed baking and creating beautiful flower gardens at their home. She made a welcoming place for friends and family. Janet loved taking her family to her parents’ summer cottage in NH, where they spent carefree days on the lake with her family. Her athletic and competitive nature allowed her to enjoy whatever sports her children were participating in. She taught skating, skied, water skied, rode a bike, and played ball with them.

As her children got older, Janet returned to the workforce, serving in the administration department for Boxborough public schools, operating her own housekeeping business, and working at Ralph Jordan's gift shop in Acton.

Janet retired in 2016. She then had time to travel with her dear friend Brenda.

She moved to Groton, where she made another close circle of friends and met her best friend, Jim. She continued to entertain friends, shop, and be involved in her Bible study groups.

Janet later moved to Plymouth to be closer to her daughter, Kristen. In her later years, she especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Her infectious spirit touched all who knew her.

Janet was devoted to her family. She loved all her nieces, nephews, and cousins. She deeply loved her 7 grandchildren, Joseph, Christopher, Hannah, Harrison, Mary, Samantha, and Jack, who affectionately called her “A’Dee”. Her role as grandmother was one of her greatest joys. Her love for them was evident in everything she did. Above all, Janet’s Christian faith was a central and guiding force throughout her life. Her strong belief in Jesus Christ shaped her values, sustained her through life's challenges, and inspired her kindness, compassion, and service to others. She was an active member of Faith Evangelical Free Church in both Concord and Acton since childhood. Over the years, she was an active volunteer, supported many of the church's ministries, and taught Children's Sunday School.

Janet survives her children, Kristen Stuart O'Brien of Plymouth, MA, and John H. Stuart of Auburn, CA; son-in-law Joseph O'Brien; daughter-in-law Stephanie Stuart; and her beloved grandchildren, Joseph, Christopher, Hannah, Harrison, Mary, Samantha, and Jack. She was predeceased by her sister, Geraldine Gravel, of Concord, MA; her brother, Krist Andersen, of Sunapee, NH; and her parents, Krist and Marjorie Andersen, of Concord, MA.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Janet during visiting hours on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 2:00-5:00 pm at the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St., Concord. Her funeral service will be held Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 11:00 am at the Faith Evangelical Free Church, 54 Hosmer St., Acton, MA. Burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:
American Lung Association
1661 Worcester Road #301
Framingham, MA 01701
781-890-4262
www.lung.org

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IN OUR CARE James Albert Beagan, 73, died peacefully on February 3. Jim, who lived much of his adult life with Multiple ...
02/08/2026

IN OUR CARE
James Albert Beagan, 73, died peacefully on February 3. Jim, who lived much of his adult life with Multiple Sclerosis, was diagnosed with ALS in December 2024. He never let these challenges define him, living each day with strength and grace. Jim became a passionate advocate for disability rights, testifying at hearings at the Massachusetts State House and serving on Methuen’s Commission on Disabilities. From 2017-2025, he and Deb Blood hosted “Yes We Can: In the Know About Disability,” an award-winning Methuen Community Studios program. Jim asked that “everyone help those with disabilities live as best we can, so that we can enjoy the good things and make contributions just like everyone else.” His voice reminded the community that people who are differently abled lead full and meaningful lives.

Jim was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, son of Daniel and Frances (Biernacki) Beagan. He was class valedictorian at Bishop Hendricken High School and graduated from Brown University magna cm laude and as a member of the Phi Beta Kapp Society. He received an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business. Jim worked as a business consultant at Exxon and Sylvania, prior to retiring. Upon retiring, in addition to his advocacy for the disabled, Jim focused on his passions which included his Church, his garden, his family and friends, and his love of music.

Jim, who resided in Methuen, Massachusetts, was an active parishioner at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church where he served as a lector and church treasurer. His faith guided him, particularly the Story of Job. His spiritual community was a cornerstone of his life in later years.

He was blessed with a green thumb – he loved the perennial garden that graced his home, and the countless plants he nurtured inside.

Jim treasured his family and friends. He is survived by his partner of twenty-five years, Robert Burke of Gloucester, MA, and his siblings – Dan and his wife Sandy, John, Kevin and his wife Lori, and Marianne and her husband, Tim. His nephews – Ryan, Jason, Patrick, Brian, Greg, Charlie, and his niece, Lucy, adored spending time with their “cool” uncle. Jim’s cousins were a constant source of love, as were friends from Methuen, Brown, and the Kellogg School. He belonged to several book clubs, reading multiple books at a time, becoming quite close to his Methuen librarian, Krista.

Music was an important part of Jim’s life. He was constantly playing music, having vast collections both on vinyl and compact disc. His musical interests were broad, loving classical, jazz, early rock, and alternative music. He spoke excitedly about concerts he attended including early Rolling Stone concerts, classical concerts at Tanglewood and the Boston Esplanade, and local rock shows of favorites like the Atlantics at Boston clubs – he was saddened when his beloved WFNX went off the air. Jim not only enjoyed music, but he also had an encyclopedic knowledge of a song’s history, its lyrics, and even its album side. Jim shared that “music has always been a source of joy and connection!”

A funeral service and life celebration will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 90 Broadway, Methuen, MA. Lunch will follow in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to:
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
90 Broadway
Methuen, MA 01844
www.standrewsmethuen.org
and/or
The Nevins Public Library
305 Broadway
Metheun, MA 01844
www.nevinslibrary.org

The Beagan family plans to contribute to the gardens at Lincoln’s Care Dimensions Hospice House in Jim’s honor, where Jim was lovingly cared for in his final days.

View James Albert Beagan's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

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Serving Concord and Surrounding Towns Since 1936

Our caring and compassionate staff is available at anytime to assist families with questions and funeral planning. We offering all aspects of traditional funerals, burials, cremation, memorial, and life celebration tailored to each individual need. Our funeral home offers a place of warmth and solace for families, relatives and friends to gather, honor, reflect, as well as celebrate the life of their loved one.

Please call (978) 369-3388.