James Gillespie Geary, Jr., 76, of Jamestown, RI passed away December 1, 2024, after a yearlong battle with lung disease. James (Jim) was born July 13, 1948, to Natalie Carroll Geary and James Gillespie Geary.
Jim attended elementary school in Jamestown and St. Bernard's in Wickford, high school at De La Salle in Newport and graduated from Roger Williams College in 1971 with a degree in English Literature. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the Air Force National Guard.
He was the General Manager of Food Advisory Associates, an airline catering business out of TF Green Airport in Warwick, which his family started in 1967. Jim and his family continued their Food Advisory legacy until it was sold in 1995. He often spoke fondly - and hilariously - of the Food Advisory days.
In his retirement he worked at UPS and the Providence Journal and also as a handyman, advertising himself as a "Jack of all Trades, Master of Some". His mastery included yard maintenance (keeping his yard in pristine condition), and refinishing furniture. Many of the pieces he refinished were in his own home and he refinished pieces for family, as well. He could always be counted on to lend a helping hand to friends and family with their projects, as well.
Jim loved to travel and took trips that brought him throughout western Europe and the United States, including an extended cross-country adventure. He always enjoyed sports and loved to attend professional sporting events including going to the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and the Daytona 500.
Jim was always fond of animals and cherished his dog, Sammy. While he didn't have children, he enjoyed time spent with his niece and nephews, going to movies and teaching them to play 8 ball and other games. He was deeply loved by family and was known as "Rabb", a nickname earned because of a stuffed toy rabbit he gifted to a nephew when the kiddo was a toddler.
He is survived by his sisters Mary Alice (Geary) Lurgio and husband Ron and Carroll Geary Pruell and husband Rich. His extended family includes nephew Peter Lurgio and wife Holly, their sons Colby, Patrick and Michael, nephew James Lurgio and husband Mark Waldron and their son Max, nephew Jonathan Pruell and wife Sara Jane and their sons Oliver and Finn and his niece Natalie Pruell and her husband Colin Giblin and their son Noah.
A funeral will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Potter League or Jamestown Fire & EMS Volunteer Department.
