James Francis Dwyer

RYE BEACH, NH - James Francis Dwyer Jr., 60, of Rye Beach, NH died Tuesday, February 16, at the NH VA Medical Center Manchester Palliative Care Unit after a year-long courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
     Born in Stoneham, MA on April 27, 1949, son of James F. Dwyer Sr. and Florence (Brackett) Dwyer, he grew up in Medford, MA and Norway. He worked in the construction industry for over 30 years and was a member of Laborer's Union Local 22, Malden, MA and Local 668 in Manchester, NH. He worked on many major construction projects over the years, including the John Hancock Building, the Burlington Mall and Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant. Until his retirement and illness, he also worked as a commercial fisherman and lobsterman in NH and Maine.
     Survivors include his daughters, Tammy Robinson and Denise Dwyer of Concord; a sister, Beverly Hiott of Norway; his companion of 19 years, Brenda Cochrane of Concord; four grandchildren; one great grandson; nieces and nephews; aunts, uncles and cousins; extended family members and many dear friends. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Diane Dwyer Wood in 1982.
     Mr. Dwyer was very proud of his Irish heritage and for the last several years, had traveled to Ireland with his uncle, Dan Dwyer of Medford. He loved the ocean and fishing with his many long-time friends in the Plum Island Surfcasters Club, as well as hunting and fishing in the rivers and streams throughout Maine and NH with his family. He also looked forward each year to winter vacations to Florida, Alabama and the Caribbean. Blessed with a very loving spirit, a kind heart, a unique sense of humor and a true love for children, he was affectionately known as "Papa" and "Big Bear."
     A Catholic committal service was held at the NH Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH on Friday, February 19, followed by a remembrance reception for family and friends at Alan's Restaurant in Boscawen. Officiating was Edward Mullen of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Concord.
     Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Hospice Fund, Volunteer Services, VA Medical Center, 718 Smyth Road, Manchester, NH, 03104; the Jimmy Fund, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 16 Brookline Place W, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226, Attn: Contribution Services, on-line at www.jimmyfund.org or the NH Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH, 03301.
     Arrangements by Phaneuf Funeral Home, King Street, Boscawen, NH. For on-line guest book, go to www.phaneuf.net.