James J. Holmes

GROTON -- James J. Holmes, age 89, went home to our father in heaven on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013 at Apple Valley Center in Ayer after a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Lillian P. (Lacourse) Holmes who passed away April 5, 2011.

James was born in Westford on Nov. 4, 1923, a son of the late James and Annie (Walsh) Holmes. He was a longtime resident of Groton and served in the U.S. Navy on a minesweeper during WWII from April, 1943 until his honorable discharge on February, 1946.

Prior to his retirement, he was employed as an electrician with Stander Electric for many years. James was a communicant of St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish and a longtime and founding member of the VFW Post 6539 in Westford.

James was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed spending summers with his family in Sebago, Maine. He was a devoted husband and father who was always there to help those in need or just to lend an ear.

He leaves a son, James R. Holmes and his wife Brenda of Groton; a daughter, Ann R. Smith and her husband, Gary of North Concord, VT; a sister, Betty Stander of Chelmsford; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Jeannine Holmes of Westford and Kevin and Eileen Holmes of CA; twelve grandchildren, John, Shane and his wife Tammy, Halaina, Robert, Mollie, Troy, Jasmine, Corey, Lorraine, Lillian, James and Logan; fifteen great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; a dear and special friend to whom the family would like to give a special thanks to, Regina McGrady of Groton; also many nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Bruce Holmes, grandfather of the late Shannon Lyn Radwich and brother of the late Agnes Hanson.

Relatives and friends may call at the J. A. HEALY SONS FUNERAL HOME, 57 N. Main St., WESTFORD, on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 4 until 8pm. His Funeral will take place on Friday morning with a Prayer Service to be held at the Funeral Home at 10 o'clock. Interment with Military Honors to follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Westford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nashoba Nursing Service and Hospice, 2 Shaker Rd. Suite D225, Shirley, MA 01464. To share your thoughts and memories of James, please click the sign guestboook link above.