Marlborough – James G. Boniface (Jimmy), 75, of Marlborough, passed away on October 20, 2022, at his home in Marlborough, following a valiant 3-year battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
Jimmy was the son of Raymond and Helen (MacManus) Boniface and the loving husband of Rose Marie (Collins) Boniface, to whom he was married for 51 years. Jimmy, a high school friend of Rose Marie’s brothers, met when she was 13, became engaged while he was in the Navy, and married soon after his discharge. Best friends and the loves of each other’s lives, they shared each other’s interests, supported each other’s work, and made their family their focus. They were able to enjoy their retired years sailing the New England coast, wintering in Marco Island, and summering in Maine. Last summer they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine where they had spent their honeymoon.
Besides his wife, Jimmy is survived by his twin daughters, Sarah Sauder and her husband Justin of Natick and Leah Solomon and her husband Philip of Natick. He is also survived by his twin brother, John Boniface, his sister, Judith Cusella and her husband Joseph, his step-brother, Craig Boniface, and his brothers and sisters- in-law, Patrick and Andrea Collins and Michael and Nancy Collins. He is also survived by his grandsons, Jackson Sauder and Zachary Solomon, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Francis Collins.
Following graduation from Marlborough High School and Marlborough Vocational High School in 1965, Jimmy worked as a machinist before enlisting in the Navy in 1967. Due to his experience as a machinist, he was assigned to that role in Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1 (Seabees) at Davisville, RI and deployed to Vietnam for two tours of duty, 1968-1970. Subsequently, he served on the USS Independence in the Mediterranean and was honorably discharged in 1971.
Upon his return, Jimmy advanced his career as a research and development machinist, senior manufacturing engineer, and industrial engineer, while continuing his education at Quinsigamond Community College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Central New England College, and ultimately retired after working at Raytheon for 34 years. He also earned his Massachusetts Real Estate license and thoroughly enjoyed helping friends and family with their real estate needs.
An accomplished athlete, Jimmy was a member of Marlborough High School’s 1963-64 undefeated Midland League Football Championship and Class C Massachusetts State Championship team, as well as being a standout in baseball as the varsity team’s catcher. His love of sports led him to coach Youth Football and Little League for many years and to serve as the President of the Marlborough Junior Baseball League. He also enjoyed being a fan, especially sharing New England Patriots season tickets with his twin brother and attending Superbowl XX in New Orleans together. A diehard Red Sox fan, he also loved going to Fenway Park and spring training in Ft. Myers.
Jimmy had a great sense of humor and loved to entertain his family and friends.
Whether it was a pool party, Thanksgiving, the family Christmas party, or a casual drop in, Jimmy enjoyed hosting and sharing his home with his guests. Gatherings with aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends were always fun and memorable. And everyone went away with a story about Jimmy.
Jimmy’s love of the ocean and the beach began with his family’s cottage, The 3 J’s, (Judy, Jackie, and Jimmy) on Cape Cod and continued with his favorite destinations in Maine and Marco Island where he made many friends and appreciated the natural beauty, activities, and relaxation each offered.
Being a twin himself, Jimmy enjoyed always having a playmate, a loyal brother, and a friend for life, as well as having a loving, caring, and doting sister, so when he discovered he was having twins himself, he was overjoyed. When his baby girls were born, they became the center of his universe and remained that way throughout the rest of his life. Nothing made him happier than to be with them. He enjoyed their tea parties, Barbies, playing in the pool, trips to the beach and learning to sail together as a family when he fulfilled his dream of owning a sailboat which he aptly named the SarahLeah. He loved watching his daughters play high school and college sports and followed them wherever their schedules took them. He took great pride in their professional accomplishments and career advancement. He was also elated to add two loving sons-in-law to his family when his girls married.
This exemplary father, soon became “Papa” (a name and role he cherished dearly) to two amazingly beautiful grandsons, born two days apart. His boys, Zack and Jax, enriched and brought comfort to the last two years of his life as he struggled at home with his illness.
The Boniface Family would like to thank the staff of Faith and Family Hospice for their professional and compassionate care of our father and husband.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, October, 28, 2022, at 10:30 AM at St. Matthias Church, 409 Hemenway St., Marlborough, MA 01752. Burial will follow at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Beach St., Marlborough, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Matthias Parish, 409 Hemenway St., Marlborough, MA 01752 or to Marlborough High School, Jason M. Denis Scholarship Fund, Guidance Office c/o Karen Rae, 431 Bolton St., Marlborough, MA 01752.
The Slattery Funeral Home of Marlborough assisted with arrangements.
