James Arthur “Jimmy” Scanlon, 68, passed away on Thursday, March 23rd from complications of COPD. Jimmy is survived by his brother Michael and his wife Donna of Cohasset, and his brother John and his wife Phyllis of Medfield. Jimmy was preceded in death by his sister Marguerite “Peggy” in December 2021, his sister Kathryn “Kathy” in June 2021, his sister Patricia “Pat” in 2020, and his brother William “Bill" in 2017. Jimmy was the son of William E. Scanlon and Vivian (Paquette) Scanlon of Needham.
Jimmy was born in Natick but moved to Needham with his family at the age of four. He graduated from Needham High School where he was captain of the Needham High School hockey team, and an all-star second baseman on the baseball team. Jimmy was also chosen to play for a greater Massachusetts All-Star hockey team that toured Europe with tournaments in France, England, and Switzerland. On his return Jimmy proceeded to the University of Massachusetts—Amherst, where he played on the varsity hockey team as a freshman. He later decided to concentrate on his studies, and he graduated with honors. Jim then attended Harvard University’s Graduate School of Landscape Architecture. While at Harvard he also worked for several greater Boston and Miami Landscape Architectural firms focused on the Southwest Corridor Project and the Miami International Airport. Jimmy lived in Newton Center from 1985 until his passing, working independently on his various architectural projects and portfolios, which was the true passion of his life. Jimmy never forgot his connection to sports and he regularly attended Harvard and Boston College hockey and football games with friends.
Visitation will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home, 1351 Highland Avenue, Needham, on Wednesday, March 29th beginning at 11am and concluding with a service at 12noon. Interment will follow at Needham Cemetery.
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