McClory, James Martin. Age 95. February 17, 2019. Beloved husband of the late Ann Cecilia (Conway). Loving father of Michael (Catherine), Daniel (Florentina), Therese (Matthew) Norris and Msgr. Robert J. Proud grandfather of Claire, Emma, Pierce, Grant, Shaye, Joseph, Thomas, Margaret, Philip, Cecilia and Elizabeth. Dear brother of the late John (Edith) and the late Irene (George) Buszka. Predeceased by parents James J. and Catherine. Ann and James (Jim) were married on September 7, 1957 at Sacred Heart Church in Roseville and enjoyed over 59 years of married life. He was a longtime resident of Royal Oak and active member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Visitation Tuesday 5-8 pm with Rosary 7 pm and Wednesday 2-8 pm with Vigil service 7 pm at the Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home, 705 W. Eleven Mile Road (4 blks E. of Woodward), Royal Oak. Funeral Thursday, instate 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass 10:00 a.m., at St. Mary Catholic Church, Royal Oak. Memorials to the Sacred Heart Major Seminary are appreciated.
James Martin McClory was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 9, 1923, the youngest of three children of James J. and Catherine McClory. As a young boy, his family moved to Detroit. Jim graduated from St. Martin of Tours High School in Detroit in 1943. He was inducted into the United States Navy in June 1943 and served the Navy in the Seabees (the Construction Battalion) as a quartermaster. After completing his Basic Training at Camp Peary, Virginia, James was deployed from the Port Hueneme Naval Base in Southern California, and stationed in the Pacific Theater during World War II at Guadalcanal and New Caledonia. He attended Walsh College and the University of Detroit.
He met his wife Ann over six decades ago through the Third Order of St. Francis at Saint Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, where they were members of the bowling league. The family moved to Royal Oak in 1970. James worked for 35 years at Jorgensen (previously Alloy) Steel as an inside salesman, retiring in 1988. He was a volunteer in numerous church and charitable organizations, most especially at Providence Hospital, where he was active for 25 years as a Eucharistic Minister and Spiritual Care Assistant, providing over 7,000 hours of volunteer service in this role. He received a “Golden Oldies” award in 2010 from the Detroit Rotary Club and YMCA for his efforts. Jim was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 50 years.
Jim served as Grand Marshall for the 2018 Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade. Upon hearing that he was selected for the honor of Grand Marshall, he responded with his characteristic humility, “There are others who are certainly more deserving than me. I am honored, but I’m simply representing all those who served – especially those who gave their lives for our country.”
Jim enjoyed camping, spending time with family, and was able to travel to Rome and the Vatican on two occasions, and meet Saint Pope John Paul II. In his younger years, his pastimes included the Detroit Concert Band and being a member of the Royal Oak St. Mary Choir.
Jim had an abiding trust in God. He had a rich prayer life, attended daily Mass until the last years of his life, and always offered a kind and encouraging word. During the last year he said, “Jesus has given us so much that I couldn’t ask for anything more.” When asked to pray for others, Jim would ask God to “take care of all your needs.” Throughout his entire lifetime, Jim brought God’s joy and love to all those he met.
