James B. “Jim” Mclean Jr.

McLean, James B., Jr. “Jim” of Weymouth (formerly of Acton), died June 30, 2013 after a long illness. 

Jim was born June 1, 1937 in the Bronx, NY.  He grew up in Norwalk, CT where he graduated from Norwalk High School. He later attended Providence College, class of 1960, where he started a family legacy with 10 family members (and counting)  following in his footsteps. He was a member of the freshman basketball team and holds the distinction of being the first captain of the Providence College men’s tennis team.  Jim was a past president of the Providence College Alumni Association and immensely proud of his association with the college.  

His career was in the field of urban retail development, where he was a pioneer.  Most notably, as a vice-president with the Rouse Company, he was the first General Manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston when it re-opened in 1976, whose success started the trend nationally of large urban retail re-development projects.  During his later years with the Rouse Company, his work included management of South Street Seaport in New York City and Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.   He later left Boston and worked with both Lucas Film and Universal Studios on entertainment complexes in California.  Prior to his retirement, he returned to MA and spent several years working for Daniel J. Flynn & Companies in Quincy.   Jim was very devoted to his community becoming a member of Quincy Rotary Club, Quincy Chamber of Commerce, Senior Olympics and many other various organizations. He was an avid sports fan, especially of all Boston teams.

Jim’s main passion was his family, above all his wife, Helen, whom he cherished and loved to no end.  With five children and 13 grandchildren, Jim took great pride in creating a special bond with each and every one of them.  His ability to put a smile on your face and to make you feel special was a true gift.  Jim’s  story telling at the kitchen table and at family events was legendary. He was a man of integrity and generosity who befriended people from all walks of life. His example to put family first lives as an inspiration for all of us to follow.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, Helen (Fisser) McLean, Jim leaves his daughter, Bridget Koza and her husband Stephan, of Lancaster, MA and four sons, James and his wife Debra, of Groton, MA; Kevin and his wife Joanie, of East Walpole, MA; Michael and his wife Kathleen, of South Dartmouth, MA; and Ronald and his wife Sheila, of Cohoes, NY. Dear son of the late James and Geraldine McLean. Caring brother of Lucinda and her husband Al Gellene, Sharon and her husband Mike Czegledi, Maureen Markelon and her late husband Gary, and Pauline and her husband Larry Clifford.  Devoted grandfather of Riley, Michael, Jimmy, Meghan, Ryan, Kristen, Kevin, Scott, Kerri, Christopher, Kate, Colin and Sean. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Friday 4-8 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home NORTH WEYMOUTH at 40 Sea Street (off RT.3A-Bicknell Sq.) Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 9 AM on Saturday prior to the Funeral Mass in St. Joseph’s Church, Quincy at 10 AM. Burial in Fairmount Cemetery in East Weymouth.

Donations in memory of James may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.