Shrewsbury – James Joseph Dunlevy of Shrewsbury, a true Irishman, thru and thru, passed away peacefully on Feb. 21, 2021 at UMass Medical Center. He was 73.
Jimmy was born on Dec. 17, 1947 in Queens Village, N.Y., one of seven children to the late James A. and Veronica (Mahoney) Dunlevy. He graduated from Shrewsbury High School and later served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Upon returning home from the service, Jimmy worked as a commercial truck driver first starting out working for the Shrewsbury Highway Department. He later worked for Joseph Levitt Company, Wright Line, Town and Country Modular Homes. After retirement, Jimmy and his brother owned and operated KJ Reality, and he also worked part-time for Paquette Farms.
Jimmy was a member and commander of the Charles J. Murphy VFW Post 10278. He also was a member of the American Legion Victor R. Quaranta Post 397 AL and the Shrewsbury Soldiers Memorial Commission. He enjoyed gardening, driving around in his vintage 1966 Mustang convertible, and spending time with his friends at Gallagher’s Pub.
Jim was a loving family man who adored spending time with his grandchildren. He counted them among his many blessings in life. He was looking forward to being a great-grandfather.
Jimmy is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Rosemary (Thomas) Dunlevy; a son, John Couture and his wife Jodi of Shrewsbury; two daughters, Paulette Racicot of Shrewsbury and Lisa Stewart and her longtime companion Lee Klein of Auburn; three brothers, Kevin Dunlevy of Florida, Dennis Dunlevy and his wife Joan and Thomas Dunlevy and his wife Joanne, all of Worcester; two sisters, Mary Dunlevy Lannon and her husband Robert of Florida and Veronica Dunlevy of Worcester; nine grandchildren, Cody, Griffin, Chandler and Delaney Couture, Danielle and Matthew Racicot, George, Jacob and Alissa Stewart; four sisters-in-law, Donna Dunlevy of Worcester, Barbara Govoni of Harwich, Joann Green of Wayland and Maryellen O’Loughlin and her husband Steven of Shrewsbury; and several nieces, nephews, godchildren, cousins and one great-niece. He was predeceased by a brother, Brian Dunlevy, and three brothers-in-law, Donald Govoni, Jeffrey Green and Bobby Jo Carlton.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the UMass Memorial Hospital staff and physicians and Beacon Hospice Care.
A period of calling hours will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel, 370 Plantation St., Worcester. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. in St. Anne’s Church, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury. Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery of Shrewsbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Anne’s Church Human Services, 130 Boston Tpke., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.
