James A. Turcotte
July 19, 1959 ~ July 13, 2023
James A. Turcotte, 63, of Danvers, died Thursday, July 13, 2023.
He was the husband of Kathleen (Munroe) Turcotte with whom he shared 33 years of marriage, and the father of Aimee Cary and husband Jeffrey of Danvers, Bridget Gotts and husband Christopher of Danvers and James Turcotte and wife Olivia of Newmarket, NH. His five grandchildren are Seamus and Clara Cary, Finley and Theodore Turcotte and Gray Gotts.
Born on July 19, 1959, he was the son of the late Gene and Joan (Henderson) Turcotte. He was raised in Danversport and a member of the Danvers High School class of 1978.
He was passionate about his long career as a Powerplant Supervisor and Second Class Engineer at Hogan Regional Center and later as the Institutional Maintenance Foreman. He also served as longtime president of the MGL Chapter 146 Association, on the executive board of AFSCME, and as a union steward of NAGE BU 3.
He enjoyed camping, hunting, boating and fishing, riding his motorcycle, storytelling, cooking and spending time with his friends and family. He was also a historian who often found and donated items to the Danvers Historical Society. Most often he could be found driving through town with his co-pilot and best companion Rosie, his dog.
Humble and empathetic, Jimmy was a protector, defending those who could not defend themselves but rarely speaking about it. He was the first to help others in need, often stopping to help strangers. He rescued many animals (including a stray goat), delivered meals to those in need, and spent many hours listening to friends and giving advice.
He had infinite wisdom and an incredible memory. He made friends everywhere he went and many joked that he was the mayor of Danversport.
Above all, he dedicated his life to his family. A young father, he stepped up to care for what mattered to him most and never stopped. He is the biggest supporter of his children and their dreams, always encouraging them to take on challenges without fear. He believed fiercely that they could each do whatever they set their minds to, reminding them that they are Turcottes.
He spent a lot of quality time with his late mother Joan.
He is survived by brothers Gene “Mitch” Turcotte and wife Nancy of Danvers, Daniel Turcotte and wife Bonnie of AR, and sisters Patti Turcotte of ME, Paula Turcotte of Danvers, and Christine Valdez and husband Miguel of Groveland, Brother-in-law Robert Munroe and wife Paula of Quincy, sister-in-law Maryellen Oates and late Mark of Reading, and brother-in-law Peter Munroe and wife Ann Marie of NH, in addition to many nieces, nephews and friends that he loved dearly.
He is also predeceased by his in-laws Helen and Robert Munroe of Watertown and many friends.
Jimmy’s Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St. in Danvers on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 10AM. Burial will follow at Annunciation Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7PM on Friday, July 21, 2023 at C.R. Lyons & Sons, Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St, Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jimmy’s name to the Danvers People to People Food Pantry, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA, 01923, www.danverscommunitycouncil.com, and/or the MSPCA at www.mspca.org. Online directions and condolences are available at www.LyonsFuneral.com
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TOO MUCH FUN AT ONE OF MY COOKOUTS. IT RAINED LATER IN THE DAY AND JIM HAD DRIVEN HIS MOTORCYCLE OVER. DAN TURCOTTE WAS WITH HIM (last 2 left at cookout) AND JIM COULD T DRIVE BOTH OF THEM HOME ON THE MOTORCYCLE, SO THEY BOTH SLEPT OVER. LOTS OF LAUGHS. WE LL ALL MISS HIM AND HIS BEAUTIFUL SMILE .
Katie and children ,
Words cannot tell you how sorry I am for the loss of Jimmy. He was a great man a true gentleman with a very kind heart my prayers and thoughts are with you. Love
Annmarie lezenski
I love Jimmy – I first met him 44 years ago when I began my employment at Hogan Regional Center. Jimmy broke me in back in 1979 and taught me the ropes. I continue to work in the field. I also had the pleasure of meeting Katie back during those years – the finest of Ladies who would become his wife.
I would run into Jimmy periodically, usually in Danvers. Many years and life itself limited our time together. However, 2 years ago we saw each other at the Franco in Beverly and I absolutely treasured getting together with him when we met at the club.
We literally became blood brothers one night several decades ago after enjoying a few adult beverages – cutting each other’s palms and bleeding into each other. Jimmy is with me forever and beyond. I would not trade that experience for anything on God’ good earth.
I love you forever Jimmy, and rest in peace, Keith Rando
I can see the twinkle in his eye! Love you my Big Brother♥️
I met Jim after I moved back home to Brownville Jct from Aroostook County. It was hunting season and I wanted to get back together with the crew and enjoy hunting camp again. It’s been 30 years hunting with him and the Double I crew since then. We have shared a lot of laughs and a lot of stories over those years. Jimmy was and has always been a icon in those hunts. From getting out of bed in the morning to keeping us in stitches laughing to enjoying those weeks of hunting. Jim. I will miss you with all my heart and soul, your outlook and life was a lit candle to me. Rest assured that the tradition will live on each year at Deer Camp as long as I can do it. You will be a legend to remember every 3rd week in November and we will ALWAYS share your memories each year. You are gone but your legacy lives on in all of us every November in the North Maine Woods. My hurts from losing you, and I send my love and care to your family during this. RIP Jim, get that big buck in the afterlife and hopefully some day we will see each other again. Rob Coburn, Maine
Katie and family. Robin and I are so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was such an awesome friend, confidant and loving family man. Whenever getting together with Jimmy we knew it was going to be a lot of laughs and reliving old times!!! We loved him and will miss him forever. May you find peace with your loving memories of Jim!!
Love Paul and Robin Blanchette
Tracey Long lit a candle in memory of James Turcotte
I met Jimmy in the early nineties at Hogan when he worked with the residents. I loved talking to Jimmy because he was so friendly, down to earth and so much fun. Just a wonderful guy. My deepest sympathies to his family. I am so sad about this situation.
Jimmy was a great guy he was the man! Jimmy was many things to me a boss, a co worker, a mentor, and most importantly a true blue friend. Jim’s tenure working in various capacities for DDS at Hogan Regional Center and Danvers State Hospital spanning over 44 years of dedicated service is compelling. Jimmy’s love for the residents and his steadfast fidelity to service will be his legacy to others. Jim’s remarkable story will live on with his wife, children and his grandchildren whom he talked about all of the time and was extremely proud of. Jim’s work in Chapter 146 Association was impactful to the trade and industry. My admiration and love for Jimmy is echoed by those who were privileged enough to have known him . Katie may god bless you and your family please accept my family’s most sincerest condolences on your family’s loss. Todd Davis
I remember the “ Green Barrel “ days of our youth with a smile. Jimmy was a really good guy , who truly cared about the people who lived at Hogan. He was a professional and always told you exactly what he thought. I deeply respected him for that and his unwavering dedication to Hogan – this is a great loss and my families prayers are with the entire Turcotte family.
Katie, I am so very sorry for your loss. I hope the love of your family and friends and your memories of Jimmy bring you solace at this sad time. I can still picture Jimmy striding down the hallway or leaning against the railing at the Crossroads at Danvers High School, his voice rising above the crowd as he greeted his friends by their nickname or last name, often loudly and always with fervor (“Tweeeeeed!” “Rhudick!). He always had a big, friendly hello to me as a new arrival to the Port. He was unabashedly social and quick-witted, slightly irreverent (okay, maybe really irreverent). He was fearless never afraid to speak up for others in the Class of 1978 or anyone, or to share his opinion. One of the joys of staying in your hometown after high school is re-discovering your classmates as adults and seeing their fully developed selves. As our paths crossed later, around the time Jimmy met wonderful you, the love of his life, and was working at Hogan, he and I would talk about his work and the importance of the state’s responsibility to individuals with disabilities who depend on the state for their care. If he saw something that wasn’t right, he shared it. I am grateful for those talks. In spite of all the flaws and sadnesses of the world, Jimmy Turcotte loved life and he showed it in his love of family, friends, the Port, and Danvers. He will be missed terribly. Jimmy, Rest in Peace, my friend.
Katie,Aimee,Bridget & James:
Words cannot express the deep sadness that we are all experiencing on Jimmy’s passing. Someone who was full of life, love of family & friends, his sense of humor, work ethic, generosity,and everything else that made this great man who he was.
Please know that I am praying for all of you and your extended family in this extreme time of sorrow, as well as holding you all in my heart
God Bless you Jimmy, May you rest in Peace. MY thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Maryanne Rachael Loughlin lit a candle in memory of James Turcotte
Jimmy was my best friend in Jr high school. We were kids, it was exactly 50 years ago. I truly loved my friend, as a brother. Such a dear young man, my parents loved him. We went our separate ways in high school but I was so proud of the dad he became! Various class reunions, dances to benefit Karen Martin we would chat and share stories of our families. It’s been a lot of years now but I’m so happy that he had a wonderful family. I miss him, but I still miss the 13 year old boy who always watched over me. Say hi to my mom please Jimmy ❤️
Call though I didn’t know Jim very long. He was a gentleman and it was a pleasure serving him beers whenever he came by the Franco.
A sympathy card was purchased for the family of James A. Turcotte.
It was long ago yet Jimmy, Patti & I went to school together. The two things I remember most about Jimmy was he was always kind and often funny. I was sorry to read of his passing. Rest in arms of angels Jimmy. Sending my sincere condolences to his entire family. Aloha from Hawaii, Maggie Connor