James William Colleary

James William Colleary, 91 of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on May 22, 2018. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on November 19, 1926, Jim was the son of Thomas J. and Catherine (Neary) Colleary. He was predeceased in death by his wife of 64 years Barbara (Gordon) Colleary in 2017. He is survived by his eight daughters: Kathleen Colleary, Ann (Louie) Rodarte, Maureen (Jeff) Zimmerman, Theresa Roberts (late Fran Ford), Trish Spencer, Ellen (Phil) Abbadessa, Barbara (Phillip) McCreary and Joan (Larry) Cedrone; 20 grandchildren: Eric Rodarte, Tracy Caddell (Jeremy), Michael Rodarte, Reiley Rodarte, James Zimmerman, Emma (Brian) Shell, Moriah (Scott) Rees, Samuel Zimmerman, Camille Zimmerman, Tiffany Roberts, Lauren Roberts, Kenneth Sundlof, Evan Spencer, Sean Spencer, EllieAnn Abbadessa, AJ Abbadessa, Elizabeth McCreary, Robert McCreary, Christina McCreary and Caroline Cedrone; six great-grandchildren: Gunner Rodarte, Abbigal and Aubri Caddell, Fitzgerald Shell, Sonora James Shell and Peter Rees; and his brother Peter Colleary. Preceding him in death was his brother Thomas Colleary. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Jim was a veteran of the United States Navy and served his country during World War II. He graduated from Boston College in 1950 and began a career in sales, mostly in the beverage industry. In 1967, Jim and Barbara moved their family to Tempe, Arizona, where they resided for 50 years. Their daughters went to Meyer, McKemy, and McClintock schools. Jim was a parishioner at Mount Carmel and Holy Spirit Catholic Churches in Tempe. Jim was proud of his Irish heritage. Jim and Barbara were known for their annual St. Patrick's Day Party. One of his greatest joys was a trip to Ireland before his 80th birthday with several daughters and grandchildren along with his brother and his family to visit the hometowns of his parents and meet his Irish relatives. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 24, 2018 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, with a reading of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM at Richardson Funeral Home, 2621 South Rural Road, Tempe, Arizona. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, May 25, 2018 at 11:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 1800 East Libra Drive, Tempe, Arizona. A reception for family and friends will be held immediately following the mass. A private family burial will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, P.O. Box 302, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0302. Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the family.

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Visitation

Thursday May 24th, 2018

5:00pm - 8:00pm

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Rosary

Thursday May 24th, 2018

6:00pm - 6:30pm

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Interment following funeral service

Friday May 25th, 2018

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Mass of Christian Burial

Friday May 25th, 2018

11:30am

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