Obituary of James J Deignan

Age 90, passed away on Mother's Day, May 12th, 2013. Jim is survived by his Sister Peg Lyons, Brother-in-law, Frank Lyons, Niece, Rosemary Lyons, and Nephew, Francis Lyons. His late sister, Mary, passed away in 2003. His beautiful Southern Belle and beloved wife, Nellie, passed away in 2007. Jim's parents were Irish Immigrants. His mother, Mary, arrived as an indentured servant for County Cavan, and his father, John, from County Leitrim, and spent his life as a police officer in Providence, RI. During World War 2, Jim was one of the few survivors of Company C, 139th Airborne Engineer Battalion, the 17th Airborne Division. His Army Separation Record says that Jim jumped 14 times, gliding 5 times, into Enemy Occupied Territory, capturing and holding enemy positions, and earning numerous Battle Stars. Jim witnessed, first hand, the savagery of the Nazi and the SS, but, Jim never spoke about the horrors of the War, or his service to our Country. A devout Catholic, Jim could not understand why God allowed the War to happen, and became a Monk in the Order of the Cisterians, and with the other Monks, Jim worked in the fields of Massachusetts and prayed daily. After 7 years, the Monastery was closed due to an outbreak of TB. Being a Vet, Jim was put on a train and sent to sunny Florida and Bay Pines Hospital. After spending a year convalescing, Jim became a Letter Carrier, and married his beautiful Southern Belle, Nellie. Yankee Jim, as a Letter Carrier, Committeeman, and lifetime member of the "National Association of Letter Carriers," Jim helped desegregate the Letter Carriers Union, and happily embraced the Southern Social ostracizing that followed. Jim always believed that the job belonged to the best man. Jim was an exceptional athlete, became a scratch golfer, and enjoyed his latter years watching on Cable TV the Catholic and Golf channels, which he thought was a miracle from God. Jim was a "man's" man. A true role model to all the men and women that knew him. Jim always wanted to help anyone that counseled with him. A lifelong Parishioner of Christ the King Catholic Church, with many friends at St. Patricks, Jim will be truly missed by all! On Friday, May 31st, a Visitation will be held at 9 AM, at Christ the King Catholic Church. A Rosary will be said at 9:30 AM, and a Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM. Jim will be interred at the Veteran's Cemetery in Bushnell, Fl. In lieu of flowers, Please make a Donation to either Christ the King Catholic Church, or St. Patrick's Catholic Church