Obituary of Peabody Fire Lt. James H. "Jim" Kerwin (Ret.)

Peabody Fire Lt. James Henry “Jim” Kerwin (Ret.) 77, of Peabody, devoted husband of Marjorie (Goodwin) Kerwin, died on Monday March 7, 2011 at the NSMC Salem Hospital. Mr. Kerwin was born in Salem on March 14, 1933, son of William C. and Katherine R. (Brophy) Kerwin. He was raised in Peabody and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn Class of 1951. Jim enlisted into the United States Navy and served on active duty from January 29, 1952 and received his honorable discharge on December 2, 1953. He received the Navy Occupation and the National Defense Service Medals. Jim was appointed as a reservist on the Peabody Fire Department on April 21, 1957 and as a permanent firefighter on December 29, 1957. On March 15, 1970 he was promoted to Lieutenant, a rank he held until his retirement on July 1, 1996. He was also served as a part time Harbor Master for 10 years, and as a Paramedic in Revere, East Boston and Chelsea for 10years. Jim was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the North Shore Harbor Master Association of Danvers, the Fleet Reserve Association MA Group 31 and the Danvers Fish and Game. Jim was a loving father who devoted his life to creating a home for his 3 sons, teaching them at an early the value of the ocean, and later he was so proud of his 2 granddaughters and their accomplishments. In addition to his wife with whom he shared 55 years of marriage, Jim is survived by 3 sons, James Kerwin and his wife Kathryn of Salem, John Kerwin of Peabody and Joseph Kerwin of No. Andover; 2 cherished granddaughters, Tarah M. Kerwin of Peabody and Alanna B. Kerwin of Salem; 4 brothers and their spouses, Joseph and Jean Kerwin, John and Jan Kerwin all of Peabody, William and Barbara Kerwin of Portland, ME, and Paul and Kathy Kerwin of Avon, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Tina Goodwin of Salem, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnehews, and his loving companion dog, Princess Lillian “Lilly”. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s Church, 140 Lynn St., Peabody. As per his request there will be no visiting hours. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Jim’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.