June 18, 1951 – September 9, 2022
James A. Wilcox, a resident of Reading, MA, for 20 years, died peacefully, after a 10-year illness, with his wife and son, Sean, at his bedside on September 9, 2022, at the VA Hospital in West Roxbury.
Jim was the son of the late Harry E. and Ruth A. (Hubley) Wilcox, formerly of Lowell, MA. He was a Lowell High School graduate, class of 1969. Jim went on to serve in the United States Air Force, honorably discharged in 1975. Jim had a long career in the phone company. He worked at Verizon for 26 years, IBEW 2321, and Sprint for an additional 13 years, retiring in 2011. During his retirement, he built a cabin in Naples, Maine. Prior to building the Maine cabin, he built a Tolman Skiff, which he admiringly named “The Kathaleen.” He was most happy out on any body of water. It was his lifelong dream to build his own boat, which he completed in 2006. Jim was a true craftsman, he enjoyed making beer and wine and loved to play his guitars. Jim also enjoyed playing cards online, cribbage and chess with family and friends.
James was the beloved husband for almost 21 years of Kathleen (Doherty) Wilcox. Devoted father of Kerry Wilcox of Westford, MA, Lisa Wilcox (Bend, OR), James Wilcox (Teri) of Westerville, OH, and Sean Wilcox of Reading, MA. Cherished brother of Linda and Peter MacRae, Barbara Bovee, Robert Wilcox, Janet Chiovoloni, and the late Carole Hall. Grandpa Jim to Allison, Andrew, Hadley, Thomas, and Asher.
His family is extremely grateful to all the Building 8 staff at the Brockton VA Medical Center and also the West Roxbury VA Medical center staff.
Jim cherished his friends, David and Mary Kearney of County Clare, Ireland, a friendship that spanned over 50 years.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 15, at the Douglass, Edgeley, and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading from 10am-12pm followed by a funeral service in St. Agnes Church 186 Woburn St. Reading at 12:30pm. Burial is private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in James’ memory to the VA Medical Center 940 Belmont St. Brockton, MA 02301. In the memo line, please put: Recreation Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury.
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