Framingham – James T. “Jim” Clunie, 90, of Framingham died Thursday, June 15, 2023, after a brief period of declining health. He was the husband of the late Dorothy Walsh for 44 years.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Jim was the only son of the late James T. and Helen (Quinn) Clunie. Enlisting in the Marines at age 18, he served in Korea from 1950 – 1954, and as a staff Sargent in bomb disposal was authorized to wear the Bronze Star Medal with “V”, awarded for his outstanding action. He later attended State University of New York at Buffalo on the GI Bill, earning a BA in History before marrying in 1960.
Jim and Dorothy arrived in Westborough in 1973 with their young family in tow after Jim accepted a position at The Hanover Insurance Company in Worcester, where he served in executive management for 24 years.
As both an avid outdoorsman and history buff, Jim enthusiastically embraced all that New England has to offer. He and Dorothy loved spending time with family and friends at their fishing “camp” in Denmark, ME, where Jim put his craftsman skills to good use. He celebrated his 1996 retirement by climbing all 48 of New Hampshire’s tallest mountains.
Jim will be remembered for his quiet intelligence, strength of character, and unflappable demeanor. He was a true individual who was loved by many.
He is survived by his daughters, Mary (Alan) Avalos and grandchildren Thomas, Daniel and Andrew, Catherine (Keith) Reilly and grandchildren Eliza and Patrick, all of Natick, MA; his sons William (Brenda) Clunie of Auburn, NH, their sons Nathan and Tyler Bujwid, and James (Lisa) Clunie and grandchildren James and Marcelle, of Pelham NY., and many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his dear sister, the late Mary Farallo of Hamburg, NY.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, June 21, in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 183 West Main St, Westborough. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Luke’s Cemetery, Westborough.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday, June 20, in the Pickering & Son Westborough Funeral Home, 62 West Main St., Westborough.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 21 Speen St, Framingham, MA, 01701.
