James J. Gaughan, age 91, of Lady Lake, FL, passed away at Cornerstone Hospice House in The Villages on Thursday, October 25, 2018. James was born on January 1, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Anthony and Theresa (Timlin) Gaughan.
He attended Boston Public Schools and left high school in 1944 to volunteer in the United States Navy in World War II. James married Anne Cavanaugh on May 7, 1949. After the war, James continued his military career in the United States Coast Guard. A member of the Greatest Generation, he retired in 1966 with 23 years of service, as a veteran of three wars; World War II, Korean, and Vietnam. While in the military, James served around the world as an enlisted navy sailor, including participation in the South Pacific islands landing operations in World War II. He completed Officer Candidate School in the United States Coast Guard and finished his career a lieutenant in air/sea rescue along the east coast of the United States. After leaving the Coast Guard in 1966, he returned to live in the Boston area until retiring with his wife to Lady Lake, Florida, in 1987.
James was preceded in death by his loving wife Anne. He is survived by his daughter Anne Merrifield (and husband Dennis) of Dallas, Georgia; Patricia Gaughan of Lady Lake; and Richard Gaughan (and wife Susan) of Braintree, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren–James Timilty (and wife Michele White), Julie Timilty, Joseph Merrifield (and wife Kristen), Patricia Merrifield, Paul Coutoumas, Daniel Gaughan, and Joseph Gaughan; and two great-grandchildren–Alexandria Timilty and Cooper Merrifield.
Services and interment will take place at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts, on Thursday, November 15, 2018, at 11 a.m.