James R. “Jim” McGurl, of Woburn, passed away at home Feb. 9, 2011, after a brief illness. He was 89. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Maureen A. (Smith) McGurl and his children: Frank Cross and his wife Mary Lou of Tewksbury, Jennifer Mawn Carney of Melrose and Thomas “Tucker” Mawn and his wife Jacqueline of North Reading. Jim was proud of his 9 grandchildren: Richard Cross, Stephen Cross, Lisa (Cross) Goguen, Sheila (Cross) Lunde, Peter Cross, Ann (Cross) Thompson, Michael Cross, Caitlin Mawn Carney and Isabella Mawn as well as his 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Raised in Arlington, MA, Jim was the loving brother of John McGurl of Belmont, Thomas McGurl of Arlington, and Frank McGurl of West Roxbury. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, in the South Pacific. He was an avid gardener and faithful Bruins fan.
Jim served as the Building Manager at 100 Memorial Drive, Cambridge for more than 25 years. Upon retirement, he volunteered at the MIT Furniture Exchange and bowled with St. Patrick’s of Stoneham. He was also a member of the Parish Council at St. Barbara’s Church in Woburn.
Jim is predeceased by his first wife, Gertrude (Cross), his brothers Eugene, Donald, Joseph and his sister Mary (McGurl) Barry.
His funeral will be held from the Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington St., Winchester, on Tues., Feb. 15 at 9AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara’s Church 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn at 10AM. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. Visiting Hours are Mon. 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to VNA Hospice Care, 100 Sylvan Rd., G-500, Woburn, MA 01801.
He will be missed by all who knew him.