James Patrick McDermott

Born August 7, 1951 in Malden, MA to Charles and Mary (Lavin) McDermott. The family subsequently moved to Worcester, MA where Jim would spend his childhood and adolescence.

Jim was a graduate of Doherty Memorial High School, continuing his education studying Civil Engineering at Worcester Junior College and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He worked for a myriad of companies including Getty Oil and Yum! Brands.

Jim joined some friends one summer on Cape Cod. It was there he met the love of his life and best friend, Vicki. Jim and Vicki were married on May 7, 1983.

The pair relocated to Newport, RI for several years before moving back to Cape Cod to build their dream house that Jim personally designed, drafted, and help to build in Yarmouth Port. They raised their girls there and Jim lived until his passing.

In 1999 Jim made a career change and opened Sign A Rama in South Yarmouth. With Vicki literally by his side (their desks touched), they ran a successful business for 16 years until their retirement in 2016.

Jim was an avid traveler, always on the lookout for hidden gems or secluded beaches. His favorite destinations included Thailand, Mexico, Hong Kong, Italy, Iceland, Sweden, Cuba, Jamaica, Hawaii, and Bermuda.

Jim and Vicki’s love of music led them all over the country to musical festivals and hole in wall bars to hear great music. Jim was at Woodstock long enough to be seen in the movie but left soon after “because it was wet and dirty with no place to go to the bathroom!”

He was the family’s animal whisperer! Icelandic horses sought him out, dogs were always greeted and pet, and he petted a cat in every city and country he visited. He is missed by Eoghan the Border Collie and Georgie the black cat.

Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Vicki (Tomchak), daughter, Emily and her husband, Nick Dvorscak of Fayetteville, AR, daughter, Hayley, of Yarmouth Port, and brother, Neil and his wife, Beate of Los Angeles, CA. He is fondly remembered by his sisters-in-law, in-laws, his nieces and nephews, and many, many cousins.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice, who treated Jim with the utmost respect and kindness.

Visiting hours on Friday, Nov. 12 from 4-8 pm at Doane, Beal and Ames, So. Dennis, MA. Masks will be required. Burial is private.