James Andrew Zahn, 47, passed away following a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, surrounded by his loving family and closest friends.
Born on August 21st, 1964, Jimmy was a lifelong resident of Lawrence. He was the son of Frances (Reusch) Zahn and Edward “Bruce” Zahn both of Lawrence.
Jimmy graduated from Lawrence High School, Class of 1982, and continued his education at North Adams State College. In 1988 he proudly became a Lawrence Firefighter and in 2003 he was promoted to Lieutenant. A hard working man, he also was employed at Iron Mountain for over 20 years. Jimmy took a much deserved retirement in 2011.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Jeanne (Beauchesne) and his four children: Amanda, Emilie, Elizabeth and Timothy Zahn all of Lawrence; His parents Bruce and Frances of Lawrence; his brothers: Kevin Zahn of Methuen, Stephen and Dawn Zahn of Huntington, NY, Eric and Katie Zahn of Lawrence;and Robert and Denise Zahn of Lawrence; his sister Heidi DeLucia and her husband Rocci of Salem, NH; his in-laws: Francis and Theresa Beauchesne of Methuen, Michael and Barbara Beauchesne of Lawrence, Stephen and JoAnne Beauchesne of Salem, NH; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.
An active member of St. Patrick Parish, Jimmy served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years. A 23 year member of the Lawrence Fire Fighter Union Local 146 and Relief’s Inn, Jimmy was a proud and loyal part of his brotherhood. His greatest passions though were for his family, and friends.
Arrangements: Calling hours will be Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM at the John Breen Memorial Funeral Home 122 Amesbury Street, Lawrence, MA. The funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Church in Lawrence. Burial will follow at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in North Andover. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Jimmy’s memory to the Merrimack Valley Hospice, 360 Merrimack Street, Lawrence, MA, 01843.
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EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
November 3, 2011 'He inspired me just by being himself'
Firefighters say farewell to one of their own
By Yadira Betances
ybetances@eagletribune.com
LAWRENCE Ray Kenyon Jr., a retired Lawrence firefighter with 30 years service, played the bagpipes as firefighters walked up Broadway yesterday, followed by Engine 7 bedecked with bouquets of flowers and black and purple bunting.
Behind the truck was the hearse with the coffin of Lt. James A. Zahn, a Lawrence firefighter since 1988, who died of cancer Oct. 29.
In front of St. Patrick Church, firefighters from all over New England stood five rows deep in their blue uniforms, hats and white gloves saluting their deceased brother. An estimated 1,100 people attended the funeral, said the Rev. Paul O?Brien, pastor.
The Mass was concelebrated by the Revs. Israel Rodriguez of St. Patrick; John Delaney, Paul Keyes and Jerry Hogan, all of St. Michael parish in North Andover; Patrick Armano of St. Monica and Christopher Casey of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, both in Methuen. In his homily, O'Brien called Zahn, 47, "A man of great faith." "The moral and ethical choices he made came from his believing that Jesus Christ was his savior," O'Brien said. He was active at St. Patrick parish, where he served as a Eucharistic minister. In his eulogy, James Zahn's brother, Eric Zahn, a lieutenant in the Lawrence Fire Department, recalled happy days at Salisbury Beach, where the large Zahn family spent summers.
Today is a sad day, Zahn said. You are here because he touched you in a way. It is a sad day, but Jimmy, you fought cancer with bravery and courage. After the service, Lawrence firefighter Captain John Meaney gave Zahn's son, Timothy, his fathers shield. James Zahn was promoted to lieutenant in 2003.
He was a member of the Lawrence Fire Fighter Union Local 146 and Relief's In, a firefighters social club, for 23 years. "He was a wonderful guy," provisional Fire Chief Jack Bergeron said. "He was in the best physical shape, he ran every day and kept in shape," Bergeron said. Eric Zahn said his brother was physically fit and did not smoke so his cancer is considered work-related under a state law that presumes certain diseases are job-related for firefighters Fire crews from Andover, North Andover, Methuen and Lowell covered the city while all 120 city firefighters attended the funeral.
Eric Zahn and Robert Zahn said it was their brother who inspired them to become firefighters. "He inspired me just by being himself. He lived by example and his actions spoke louder than words," said Robert Zahn. "He really loved the job and urged me to take the test. It was one of the best things he made me do," Eric Zahn said.
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