James H. Birch, Jr.

Dr. James H. Birch Jr., died peacefully at home on August 27, 2013. He was the beloved husband of Nancy Rao Birch. He was the oldest child of the late James H. Birch, Sr. and Theresa (Croke) Birch. He grew up in a three decker house on North Main St. in Attleboro, MA, filled with children, Irish relatives and love. He was expected to achieve in school and did. After the untimely death of his grandfather, Jim vowed to become a doctor. He graduated from LaSalle Academy in Providence, RI, in 1952. In 1958 he graduated from Boston College, having interrupted his studies with a two-year stint in the Army to help fund his education. He graduated from New York Medical College in 1962, then interned and completed his surgical training at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Brighton, Ma. Jim returned to Attleboro where he opened his practice and worked for over 30 years as a surgeon at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. He co-founded the Vascular Lab with friend and colleague Dr. Daniel DeYoung. Being a physician was his calling and gaining wealth was not his priority. He was happy to provide free care to those that could not afford his services. He was a friend and mentor to many and possessed a keen sense of humor and wry wit mainly directed at the absurdity of life. He was passionate about Notre Dame football, having been heavily indoctrinated by an Irish Uncle while listening to radio broadcasts in the 1940s. He believed that Notre Dame was "God's" Team and carried this belief his whole life. He made many trips to South Bend to worship everything right in college sports. He was also a big supporter of Boston College hockey and football unless they were playing Notre Dame. Golf was his game and he spent countless hours on local courses and was a longtime member of Highland Country Club. His golf highlights included yearly trips with a group of friends to North Carolina for spring training, two holes-in-one and a sojourn to Scotland to play the courses of the British Open. He enjoyed quality time with his children as they lugged his clubs around the golf course and later visited them around the world wherever they lived. Jim served as the team physician at Bishop Feehan High School for over 20 years culminating with his induction in the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997. He continued to have a special relationship with the school until the time of his death. In addition to his wife, he was the devoted and dearly loved father of James and his wife Cheryl of Centerville, Ma; Patricia Fried and her husband Toby of Hanover, NH; Margaret Birch of Lebanon, NH; Kevin and his wife Catherine of Brewer, ME; and Stephen and his wife Ellen of McLean, VA. He was pre-deceased by his beloved son Lawrence Birch. He was the beloved grandfather of Erika Birch, Jennifer and her husband Jeff Antista, Daniel Fried, Rachel Fried, Shannon Birch, Sarah Birch, Frances Birch, Stephen Birch, David Birch and Jocelyn Taylor. Great-grandfather of Jaden and Madilynn. Loving stepfather of Bradford Rao and the late Meredith Rao. Jim was the brother of Mary Pistacco of North Attleboro, John Birch of Attleboro and Kathleen Mulherrin of Osterville. He is pre-deceased by brother Thomas Birch and sister Joanne Carey. He was the former husband of the late Frances (Ippolito) Birch. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Sunday, September 1, 2013 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right, mile on the left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Children's room available during visitation. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Labor Day, Monday, September 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 140 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro with the Rev. Riley Williams, officiating. There will be no funeral procession from the funeral home prior to the commencement of the funeral Mass. Military honors will be bestowed outside the church following the funeral Mass in recognition of Dr. Birch's service to his country. Burial with his beloved son, Lawrence Birch, will be conducted privately at the Mount Hope Cemetery and Arboretum, Mount Hope Street, North Attleboro. A time of continued remembrance, fellowship and refreshments will be held in the adjacent St. John Hospitality Center immediately following church services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dr. Birch's name may be made to Bishop Feehan High School, 70 Holcott Drive, Attleboro, MA 02703 for a newly established scholarship in his honor. For additional information or to send the family a written expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200