James Joseph Quigley, Jr.
May 2, 1984 – June 11, 2026
James Joseph Quigley, Jr., beloved husband, father, son, brother, friend, and devoted public servant, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones on June 11th, 2026 after a long, arduous, and courageous battle with malignant pheochromocytoma (adrenal cancer). He was 42 years old.
Born on May 2nd, 1984, at Newton Wellesley Hospital, James was raised in the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts, where the seeds of his lifelong commitment to community and service were first planted.
James pursued his education with the same determination that would come to define his career. He began his studies at Tulane University in New Orleans, where Hurricane Katrina interrupted his path; though in characteristic fashion, he turned hardship into opportunity, bringing friends with him back to Boston and helping them find their footing in a new city. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Engineering degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Before entering law enforcement, James worked as Director of Construction and Permitting at Atent for Rent, bringing the same diligence and attention to detail, and learning to lead and communicate – skills that would later distinguish his police career.
Inspired by his maternal grandfather and great-grandfather, both proud members of the Boston Police Department, James joined the Dedham Police Department in 2015 as a Patrol Officer. He rose quickly through the ranks, earning Officer of the Year honors in 2017, a testament to the respect and trust he had already built within his department and community. In 2018, he was assigned to the NORPAC Detective Unit, and in 2022, he was promoted to Sergeant, where he served as Court Prosecutor at Dedham District Court, working closely with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office.
Throughout his career, James carried another badge with equal pride: champion for domestic violence survivors. He worked closely with DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended) Inc., lending his voice, his authority, and his genuine compassion to those who needed it most. His advocacy was not simply a professional duty; it was a reflection of who he was.
James had been living with malignant pheochromocytoma since his original diagnosis in 2011. He faced that challenge with the same quiet courage he brought to everything in his life. James never let his illness define him and would point to others who were more in need.
Beyond his service, James was a man who loved deeply and simply. He savored an iced coffee, the unhurried rhythm of fishing on the lake, the warmth of a backyard fire, and the electric buzz of dirt bikes cutting through an afternoon. He found peace at the ocean's edge, joy in camping with his wife and children, and delight in the chaos and wonder of Christmas - the music filling the car on the way there and the gathering of everyone he loved when they arrived.
Devoted husband to Kathryn A. Quigley (née Aldrich), proud and loving father to his beautiful children, Maeve A. Quigley (11) and James J. Quigley III (9), whose lives he filled with adventure and affection. He was a loving son to Donna M. Keenan (Norman B. Hall) and James J. Quigley Sr. (Diane C. Quigley), and beloved brother to Lindsey A. Quigley, cherished son-in-law to Frances and Jonathan A. Aldrich, and he leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
A public visitation will be open to all who wish to pay their respects on Wednesday, June 24th, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St., Dedham, MA. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 25th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s of the Assumption Church, 420 High St., Dedham, MA. Celebration of Life to follow at the American Legion, 155 Eastern Ave., Dedham, MA.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to a GoFundMe established to help provide his children with the support and experiences he had hoped to give them throughout their lives. Link: https://gofund.me/d91bd8b59
James Joseph Quigley, Jr. was a man who served his community, his family, and those who had no one else to speak for them. He leaves behind a legacy of courage, kindness, and an unshakeable sense of duty. He will be profoundly missed.