James A. Gavin

He was born in Boston, MA, the son of John and Catherine (Boyle) Gavin, and grew up in Dorchester, MA.

He was a Private First Class serving in the Army during World War II and the occupation of Japan. He earned the nickname “HaCha” which means “Oh Boy” in Japanese.

He settled in Westwood, MA with his wife, Pauline, and raised his three sons, Kevin, Mark and Brian. He was employed by the Boston Globe as a linotype operator in the composing room for 25 years. Mr. Gavin retired on Cape Cod in 1987 where he happily spent the summers entertaining his eight grandchildren. He was immensely proud of his sons and grandchildren and was always thanking them for the joy they brought into his life. He was also a very proud and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many.

James was an avid and talented baseball player in his youth in Dorchester, MA. He hardly ever missed watching the Red Sox games. Some of his happiest times were watching the Red Sox win the World Series three times. He was thrilled to attend the World Series Game 2 in 2004 with his family at Fenway Park. He said, “It was an experience of a lifetime”.

In recent years, Mr. Gavin resided at Bentley Commons in Keene to be closer to his family. He made many friends there and enjoyed the field trips they took to the Walpole Winery, the rifle shooting range, Swamp Bats games and local concerts in Keene. He especially loved “Happy Hour” every night where they had a glass of wine or two.

He is survived by his three sons, Kevin Gavin and wife, Carmen, of Stonington, CT, Mark Gavin and wife, Barbara of Keene, Brian Gavin and wife Kate, of Kennesaw, GA; eight grandchildren, Julia Gavin, Christopher Gavin and Alex Gavin of Stonington, Sean Gavin and Zach Gavin of Keene, Diana Taxiera and husband James, of Bridgewater, MA, and Megan Gavin and Conor Gavin, of Kennesaw. He was predeceased by his loving wife of sixty-one years, Pauline (Dalton) Gavin.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 10:00AM in St. Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch Street, Keene. Burial with committal prayers will follow at 2:00PM in the New Westwood Cemetery, 50 Carby Street, Westwood, MA. There are no public calling hours.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, is assisting the family with the arrangements.