James M. Maguire
Norwich, VT – James M. Maguire, PhD, 82, passed away peacefully at his
home on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
Jim was born on July 12, 1943, in Philadelphia, PA, to James F.
Maguire and Carmen Carames. At age 16, he moved to Rhode Island to be
closer to his father. He later enlisted in the U.S. Army and initially
received orders for Vietnam; however, at the last minute, his
assignment was changed, and he was deployed to West Germany instead.
He was very proud of his time in the military.
After completing his military service, Jim returned to Rhode Island
and began working as a respiratory therapist. It was during this time
that he met his future wife, Rosanne, an RN working at the same
hospital. They married on September 6, 1975, at Sacred Heart Catholic
Church in West Warwick, RI. In 1984, they moved to Florida, and in
1990, they settled permanently in a home they built in Norwich,
Vermont.
Jim’s natural curiosity, jovial spirit, and openness made it easy for
him to form deep and lasting friendships, both personally and
professionally. He was a gifted storyteller with a great sense of
humor-always ready with a joke or a tale. His career as a scientific
lecturer specializing in respiratory therapies and medical device
interventions took him across five continents and to every U.S. state
except Alaska. His family often joined him on these adventures,
sharing in a rich diversity of cultures and experiences.
Jim was always a true Renaissance man. In his youth, Jim was a soccer
player, as well as a ballet dancer, and sailor. Over the years, his
love of dance endured, and his passion for sailing evolved into
canoeing, kayaking and fishing on the Connecticut River with his
family. He was also an avid genealogy researcher, a student of
history, and a devoted soccer fan-rarely missing a chance to cheer on
his favorite team, Manchester United.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of fifty years, Rosanne Maguire of
Norwich, VT; his four children: Wendi Smith and her husband Nigel of
Califon, NJ; Meghan Kemp and her husband Matthew of Brewster, MA;
Matthew Maguire and his wife Jennifer of O’Fallon, IL; and Ashley
Schuyler and her husband Matthew of Bedford, MA. He is also survived
by his sister, Lee Chiardio of Huntingdon Valley, PA; his
parents-in-law, Barbara and John D’Arezzo of Cranston, RI; and ten
cherished granddaughters: Austin, Amanda, Cali, Fiona, Coco, Molly,
Delilah, Penelope, Quinn, and Zoey. He leaves behind many other
cherished relatives and dear friends.
He was predeceased by his father, James F. Maguire; mother, Carmen
Carames; stepfather, Carlos Ramos; brother, Ronald Maguire; and two
stepbrothers, Thomas and Albert Ramos.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13,
2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 820 Providence Street, West
Warwick, RI 02893.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American
Legion Post 8, 228 Beaver Meadow Road, Norwich, VT 05055, or the
Norwich Lions Club, PO Box 854, Norwich, VT 05055.
Arrangements are under the care of Knight Funeral Home, White River
Junction, VT. Online condolences may be shared at
www.knightfuneralhomes.com.
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