James A. “Jim” Tavares Sr. Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather

James A. “Jim” Tavares age 79, a lifelong Tewksbury and Lowell resident passed away on August 3, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.

Jim was the husband of Janice M. (Brooks) Tavares which he was married for over 59 yrs.

Jim was born in Lowell on Feb, 12, 1938. He was the son of the late Afons Mello Tavares and the late Mary (Rupa) Tavares.

Jim was a graduate of the Lowell High School graduating with the class of 1956. He played for the Lowell High football championship teams coached by Raymond Riddick.

His great passion was his garden. He was a season ticket holder for the N.E. Patriots since 1965.  In his later years, he enjoyed watching the Patriots and the Red Sox.

Prior to his retirement in 2011, Jim owned and operated his business City-Wide Television in Billerica for over 46 years.

Jim was very fortunate to have a very close knit family who were devoted to each other, he enjoyed the times he spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his two daughters and their husbands, Lyn and Steve Halko of Dracut, Patricia and Andy Heggarty of Salem, NH; a daughter-in-law, Kathleen (Casey) Tavares of Dracut; and nine grandchildren, Sara (Halko) Redder and her husband Jeremy of Middleboro, Zachary Halko and his wife Sandie of Pelham, NH, Jake Halko and his wife Megan of Dracut, Rachel Halko and her companion Brian Johnson of Dracut, James M. Tavares of Dracut, Kaleigh (Tavares) Tardiff and her husband, David of Dracut, Michael T. Tavares of Dracut, and Colleen and Michael Heggarty of Salem, NH. He is also survived by his twelve great-grandchildren, Isaac, Owen, Micah Halko, Joel, Jonathan and Olivia Redder, Maddox, Noah and Luke Johnson, Jayce Halko, Harrison and Jackson Tardiff; two Sisters-in-law, Elaine Pappaconstantinou of Dracut, and Isabel Tavares of Montreal Canada; a sister Marilyn D. Tavares of Wilmington, MA, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his son the late James A. Tavares, Jr. who passed away in 2013, and his brothers, the late Afons M., Joseph J., John F., and Richard A. Tavares.

Visitation will be Tues. from 10 to 11am followed by a Funeral Service at 11am at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME, 106 Middlesex St., Chelmsford, MA. Burial will be at the Holy Trinity Cemetery in Lowell, MA. Memorials may be made in his memory to the American Diabetes Assoc., 330 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210.  ARRANGEMENTS BY THE DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 978-251-4041.