James H. Looney

SUTTON/RUTLAND/WORCESTER – James H. Looney, Jr., 86, of Central Turnpike, and formerly of Rutland and Worcester, died on Wednesday, June 8, 2011, in his home after an illness.

His beloved wife of 50 years, Anne M. (Sullivan) Looney, died in 2004. He is survived by three sons, James M. Looney and his wife Brenda J. of Spencer, Thomas P. Looney and his wife Tara L. of Paxton and William D. Looney and his wife Carol L. of Boylston; two daughters, Ellen M. Towner of Rutland and Martha A. Pond and her husband Eldon D. of Sutton, with whom he lived; 12 grandchildren, Colleen E. Church, Thomas P., Conor P., Sean P., Meaghan E., Bridget A., Brian P. and Matthew J. Looney, Patrick M. and Kerri E. Towner, Maeve C. and Elise M. Pond, 2 great-grandsons, Brennan M. and Kellen Looney; a niece, Kathleen B. O’Connor of Houston, TX; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Maud O’Connor, and a son-in-law, Michael Towner. He was born and raised in Worcester the son of James H., Sr. and Anne M. (Lennon) Looney and had lived most of his life in Worcester before moving to Rutland and Sutton.

Jim was a corporal in the Army’s Battery C 809th Field Artillery Battalion during World War II and participated in three major campaigns, the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central European Theater.

He graduated from Classical High School in 1943 and earned his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education from Worcester State College. Jim began his teaching career in Holden and spent many years teaching History in the Worcester Public High Schools. He entered administration and became a middle school and then high school assistant principal. He became an acting principal at South High School and finished a 40 year career as assistant principal at South High School. He worked for the Adult Learning Center for 15 years after his retirement. He also was a supervisor of the Worcester Parks and Recreation Dept. for the Summer Playground Program. He coached basketball at Holden High School and the Worcester Jewish Community Center and was the assistant football coach at Classical High School and the track coach at North High School and Burncoat Senior High School. Since 1983 and each year in his honor, the most valuable football player in the South Burncoat game is presented the “James H. Looney Award”. In 2008 he was inducted into the Burncoat High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jim established high expectations for our athletes and students and helped develop an attitude that all things could be accomplished through hard work and effort.

Jim was a member of the National Education Association, Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association, Veteran’s of the Battle of The Bulge, Vernon Hill American Legion Post #435, St. Patrick’s Church and its St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. James Church in South Grafton, and a former member of Christ The King Church for over 40 years. Jim loved routing for the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics. He enjoyed playing golf, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 10th, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden. The funeral service for James will be held on Saturday, June 11th, from the funeral home with a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Patrick’s Church, 258 Main Street, Rutland. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, c/o St. Patrick's Church, P.O. Box 939, Rutland, MA 01543.

For online condolences please visit: www.milesfuneralhome.com