James McCue, 97, veteran of World War II, native of Lawrence, died on February 7 of this year and was buried in the Bellevue Cemetery with military honors.
In 1943, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the army and on June 6, 1944, he was part of the allied armies in the invasion of northern France that landed on the beaches of Normandy. Other battles followed by the north of France as well as the center of Europe, according to Francisco Ureña, who directed the service.
Upon learning that he had no close relatives, the news was spread over social media, which resulted in fellow veterans from as far away as Maine, as well as citizens who feel great admiration and respect for all veterans came to say goodbye, to this who gave the best of his life, his youth, on his last trip.
For 27 years, McCue resided in the Essex Tower, on Broadway between Common and Essex St., in Lawrence. There he met Doris Sevigny emerging a great friendship between them. “We lived two floors away from each other and we played 45 often,” she told us when we visited her at Cedar View Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Methuen, her new home.
It is painful for Doris to speak about James. Her eyes are watering just to mention his name. “James came to Cedar View before me and I visited him often. When I got to come to me, it was easier for me to share with him; by the way, we played bingo the night before he died”
James had no close relatives, but he was very lucky to have Doris’ unconditional friendship, which is why she was chosen to receive the flag that wrapped him in his last trip.
