James J. Mccormick

James J. McCormick, 78, of Wakefield, passed away peacefully on Monday, with his children by his side. He was the beloved husband of the late Theresa “Terry” (Susi) McCormick. Born in Providence, he was a son of the late Joseph F. and Catherine (Sherlock) McCormick Mr. McCormick graduated from La Salle Academy in 1956, the University of Rhode Island in 1960, and he received his Master’s degree in 1963 and his Doctorate in Physical Education in 1975, both from Springfield College. Mr. McCormick was the founder and first director of the Rhode Island Special Olympics and was a pioneer of education for the developmentally delayed. He founded the Chamber Education Foundation in Warwick in 1988, which established school to business partnerships. He started the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnerships in 2003 and served as the Director until his retirement in 2006. Golf was his passion which he fulfilled on the golf courses of Rhode Island and Bonita Springs, FL. He is survived by two children, David J. McCormick and his wife Jacqueline of Wakefield and Laurieann McCormick and her husband Steven Wood of Warwick; two adoring grandchildren, Dylan Patrick McCormick and Sara Elizabeth McCormick; as well as numerous brothers and sisters in law and nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am Saturday in Christ the King Church, 180 Old North Road, Kingston. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, Friday 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership Scholarship Fund, 3296 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886.