Obituary: James Michael Tancreti, Owned Tancreti Pharmacy, a Neighborhood Pharmacy and Soda Fountain, For 25 Years

Obituary from Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.

James Michael Tancreti of Nashua/Londonderry, NH formerly of Woburn, MA, passed away Wednesday evening, November 26th, with his children by his side. Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary (Pineau) Tancreti.

Born 88 years ago in Woburn, Jim was the only child of Orlando and Theresa Tancreti. He was educated at St. Charles and then went on to graduate from Woburn High School. After high school, Jim proudly served as a paratrooper during WWII in the South Pacific Theater. With an honorable discharge at the end of the war, Jim continued his education at the New England College of Pharmacy. After graduation he opened his first drug store in Malden, MA. Several years later he went on to open what became a staple and landmark in North Woburn; Tancreti Pharmacy, where he served the community as the neighborhood drug store and soda fountain for over 25 years.

The most important people in Jim’s life were his family. Jim met his wife Mary while working in a pharmacy during college. They married in 1951 and made their home in Woburn. He was an adoring husband who never stopped loving his wife of 39 years. They were always a closely knit team. He was the patriarch of a brood of 5 children whom he and Mary provided a wholesome home life and rock ribbed philosophy of love and mutual respect. Jim was a devoted and doting husband, an incredibly loyal and supportive father and a loving and indulging grandfather and great grandfather.

He was willingly involved with his children and their families. He attended numerous sporting events, plays, dance recitals, graduations and weddings of his 9 grandchildren, and was thrilled to meet his first great grandson.

After raising their children, Jim retired in 1986, and at that juncture he and Mary moved to Londonderry, NH where he took up his third career as the Chief of the Warranty Department for his son Michael’s construction company, Ashwood Homes. He always took pride in doing things right and making his product the best it could be. He also made many new friends as he embarked on the second half of his life.

Jim always had a chair ready for someone to come sit and talk with him. He was ever ready and willing to share stories from his life experiences and talk politics. He had a deep distinctive voice that was comforting and encouraging. He was the most generous spirit, always there to lend a helping hand or hold a hand when he was needed. Jim was a man of principle and integrity. He spoke his mind with total ease and often with passion. He never hesitated to speak up. Right or wrong, there was never any doubt about where he stood on all matters, large and small.

When you first met Jim you might think he would bite you. However once you came to know him, you’d understand that under that gruff exterior was a soft heart of gold. To his extended family of more than 30 nieces and nephews he was a popular uncle and councilor.

He is survived by his loving children Michael D.Tancreti and his wife Christine, of Nahsua, NH, Mary Elizabeth Geswell and her husband Walter, of Lunenburg, MA, Mark J. Tancreti and his wife Nancy of Newburyport, MA, Matthew P. Tancreti and his wife Dottie of Nashua, NH and Jamie V. Ruel and her husband Chris of Salem, NH.; his cherished grandchildren Lauren, Mike and Greg Tancreti, Joshua Geswell and his wife Eliana, Jeffrey Tancreti and his fiancee Jaclyn Linet, Sara Tancreti, Douglas Tancreti and his wife Heather, Katherine Tancreti, and Bailey Mary Ruel, and his great grandson Andrew James Tancreti, as well as many nieces nephews, in-laws, and his dear childhood friend Marie McIntyre.

It is with deep gratitude that Jim’s family extends a heartfelt thank you in appreciation of the excellent care he received from the nursing staff at St.Joseph’s Hopsital, 3N & 5N, Courville Of Nashua, Ansley Place, and Life Care Hospice. The staff at those facilities went above and beyond in their efforts to comfort Jim and his family through the duration of Jim’s illness.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass for Jim on Tuesday, December 2nd at 10:00 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 851 Main Street, Woburn, MA. Interment in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Professional services are under the direction of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jim’s memory to one of his two favorite charities; the Wounded Warriors’ Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or The Fisher House, 111 Rockville Pike, Suite 420, Rockville, MD 20850, or a charity of your choice.