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STERLING – James Patrick McGee, adored husband, father, son, brother, and patriarch of our family, died Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at the age of 82, 15 years to the hour of his beloved son, James Edward.
He will be remembered for his overwhelmingly generous nature, prodigious intellect, and sharp sense of humor. He was quoting Latin and making astute observations to the end.
James was born June 9, 1928, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Thomas Jerome McGee and Elizabeth Regina Dempsey. He was sixth in a family of 10, that included Betty, Thomas, John, Adelaide, Mary, Jane, Anne, Barbara, and Kevin.
He was educated by the Catholic Church, and as a young man, endured a tremendous spiritual struggle, ultimately coming to the wrenching decision to leave the seminary where he had been studying to become a priest. He subsequently worked numerous construction jobs and put himself through St John University, Fordham University, and then Loyola Stritch School of Medicine. He interned at Mercy Hospital, Chicago, and did his residency at Milwaukee General Hospital.
He spent his career as an ophthalmologist, well-known as an engaging and caring physician who was renowned for his long office waits. This only meant he was focusing his attention on the problem at hand, taking as much time as was needed with each patient.
He will be remembered for his tremendous appetite for adventure, loving to hike, bike, and mostly to swim.
He was preceded in death by his children, James and Elizabeth; his parents; and six siblings.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carmelle, as well as his children, Kathleen (William Dodge), Barbara (Robert Futoran), Michele (m. David Moore), Timothy, and Daniel (Rosalee Fomai); 15 grandchildren, Jennifer, Alex, Jonathan, Christine, Rachael, Sarah, Nathan, Patrick, Elizabeth, Emily, Elliot, Cole, Cameron, Liam, and Quentin; as well as six great-grandchildren. He died at home surrounded by his loving family.
Memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Church, Sterling, with a luncheon after. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McDonald Funeral Home, Rock Falls.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of the Rock River or to CGH Health Foundation.
Visit www.mcdonaldfuneralhomes.com to send condolences.