James Thomas McAvoy

James Thomas McAvoy, “Jimmy,” born March 6, 1954, passed away on July 7, 2020, having lit up the world with his big heart and infectious humor. Jim was raised in Harper Woods and earned his degree in electrical engineering. His compassionate and generous heart led Jim to live by the motto “I am there for you.”

Jim worked some 40 years as an UAW Local 182 master electrician and electrical engineer. He retired from General Motors and, finding retired life woefully lacking, took a job at Ford Motor Co.’s Livonia Transmission plant where he was working until his death from cancer. In his spare time Jim loved to raise dahlias, put the investment skill he learned from his grandmother Lillian (Malyea) McAvoy to work, guide the young people in his life and golfing.

Surviving are his daughter Heather McAvoy-Miceli, granddaughter Stella Miceli, life partner of 15 years Karin Voris, siblings Cheryl (Curt) McCormick, Debra (Glenn), and Mark (Pam) McAvoy, stepchildren Anthony Oleksiak, Albert Voris, and Liz (John) May, step-grandson Gary Oleksiak, his beloved Eynon and Kiefer cousins, and many nieces, nephews and friends not the least of whom is Jerold Helter and his UAW brothers. He will be in their hearts forever. Jim was preceded in death by his sons Christopher and Chandler McAvoy, his parents Thomas and Alice Mae [Ward] McAvoy, his siblings infant Nancy and William McAvoy.

July 23, 2020 visitation at Harry J. Will Funeral Home, 37000 Six Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48152 from 4pm to 8pm. Due to Covid, his July 24, 2020, Irish Wake will be by invitation only. The Catholic Requiem Mass is at 10am, Saturday, July 25, 2020, at St. Bonaventure Monastery, 1820 Mt. Elliott St., Detroit, MI 48207, immediately followed by Rites of Committal, Parkview Memorial Cemetery Section H, 34205 Five Mile Road, Livonia MI 48154.