James W. Nawn

HOLDEN – James W. Nawn, 89, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Worcester after a struggle with cancer. Born in Worcester, he was a son of the late William and Grace (Davis) Nawn. Jim was the loving husband of Eleanor V. (Hughes) Nawn who passed away in 2018 after celebrating 64 years of marriage.

He was a longtime resident of Holden and spent the last 4 years as a resident of The Willows in Worcester, where he leaves many friends. He was very proud of his Irish Heritage. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers where he was a member of the Hall of Fame for track. Jim attended Georgetown University and owned and operated several businesses in the Holden and Worcester area.

Jim was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson and a member of The Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots. He enjoyed golfing and was a former member of the Worcester Country Club. Jim and his family enjoyed their summer home on Cape Cod, spending over 40 summers together, boating and fishing.

He will be lovingly missed and remembered by his five daughters, Mary Ellen Leslie and her husband, Doug, Sally Hartmann and her husband, Peter, Julie Boyle and her husband, Jay, Ann Marie Bango and her husband, Jim and Maureen Doyle and her husband, R.J.; and his son, James W. Nawn, Jr. Jim was the loving grandfather of 21 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, including 4 sets of twins. In addition to his wife, he is predeceased by two brothers, Paul F. Nawn, Sr. and William Nawn; and a daughter-in-law, Ann Figge Nawn.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jim’s family from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, in the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, in St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street, Jefferson. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden where Jim will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Eleanor. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in his name to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522.