James Angus Spargo, Sr.

James “Jay” Angus Spargo was born October 18, 1945 in Boston, MA to Frederick and Maybelle (Beaton) Spargo. Although his father died early in Jay’s childhood, he later recounted to family a happy childhood with his mother and older brother Teddy. Jay fondly recalled as a child taking care of neighborhood pets, including dogs, cats, hens, a rooster, and one Canadian Goose. Growing up in New England, he developed a life-long fandom for all things Boston, including the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics. Jay made his First Holy Communion at Immaculate Conception Church in Weymouth on May 16, 1953.

After moving to Maryland in the 1960s, Jay met his future bride, Anna Marie Hall at a local CYO event. After waiting patiently for Anna to discern out of the Medical Mission Sisters, Jay and Anna were married on June 20th, 1970, also at Immaculate Conception Church in Weymouth.

With a clear gift for gab and friendship, Jay quickly developed a career in sales, working for Kings Department Stores, before taking a job as Senior Buyer with Pamida and relocating to Omaha, NE in 1977. In later years, Jay went on to work for Dial America, where he made lifelong friendships.

Jay and Anna had their first child, Jimmy in 1973, followed by Kevin in 1976, David in 1977, Kathleen in 1981, and Joseph in 1987. Being a father, and later a grandfather, was Jay’s greatest joy. He developed a special closeness and devotion to Saint Joseph, imitating his humble service and care for his family. In the grandparent years to follow, he could regularly be found at the kitchen sink, joyfully staring down a pile of dishes from 20+ grandchildren, and encouraging other family members to just “put it right here” and let him take care of it.

Jay loved celebrating holidays in a way that seemed to be an extension of his own inner joy. Their home on 95th Circle would change with the seasons, draped with hearts and roses in February; leprechauns and Irish flags in March; Easter lilies and resurrection banners in April; red, white and blue bunting in July; scarecrows and pumpkins in the fall, and of course all things Christmas in December.

Christmas also meant Candy Cane Reindeer time for Jay and the family. For decades Jay faithfully ministered to senior living centers, preparing his candy cane reindeers throughout the fall and distributing thousands of reindeer and Christmas carols during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Jay truly lived a life of service rooted in a deep love and joyful recognition in what he had been blessed with in life. He regularly committed to mowing lawns for neighbors in need, giving blood faithfully for years, volunteering and donating to the Stephen Center and inserting himself wherever he saw a need.

A daily communicant, Jay was a model of faith to his family in his reflection of Saint Joseph. From his untold hours of early morning prayer, to the thousands of loads of laundry, tens of thousands of dishes, Jay truly loved those given to him with the love of the Father.

“Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8.

James was preceded in death by his parents Frederick W. and Maybelle Spargo; brother Teddy Spargo; aunt Margaret "Peggy" Craven; nephew Craig  Spargo.

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years Anna Marie Spargo; children James "Jimmy" Angus Jr Spargo; Kevin (Wendy Nathan) Spargo, David (Shannon Revell) Spargo, Kathleen (Jeremy) Bowers, Joseph (Samantha Bruckner) Spargo:  grandchildren Marybeth, Samantha, Catherine (and their mother Sarah), Hannah, Angela, David Paul ll, Lucy, Mary, Rose, Bernadette, Jane, Madeline, Joseph, Felix, Margaret, Monica, Grace, Dominic, Elijah, Peter, John, Juliana, Gemma, Cecilia, Augustine, Lydia, Lucia and Ambrose.

In Lieu of Flowers donations may be directed to the Spargo Family.