James W. Packer's Obituary
James W. Packer, 44, died at his home on Monday, May 7, after a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer. He was the beloved husband of Linda L. Koster Packer. Born in Medford, he was raised there and attended Medford Schools. He was a graduate of Matignon High School. Mr. Packer then continued his studies at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, where he graduated in 1984. After working in credit and collections in the Boston Area for several years, Jim found his calling and returned to school to become a Nurse. He graduated at the top of his class from Northeastern University School of Nursing and has worked as a Registered Nurse at the Boston Medical Center for the past 13 years. He worked in the Cardiac Care Intervention Unit, the Emergency Room most recently in the Recovery Room. Mr. Packer was a member of the Massachusetts Nursing Association, the SEIU, Local 265 in Boston, the Who’s who in American Nursing, and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society at Northeastern University. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Linda and daughter Samantha traveling and going on cruises. For the past 17 years, he also enjoyed his yearly baseball trips with his three best friends Mark Colonna, Paul Meaney and Lenny Dietrich. An accomplished wordsmith, Jim was a voracious reader who loved golf, deep sea fishing and gardening. He was an avid baseball fan and lover of the Boston Red Sox. He was also a friend of Bill W. In addition to his wife Linda and daughter Samantha, he is survived by his parents, Mary E. (Ryan) and Walter H. Packer of Medford. He was the brother of Robert M. Packer of CT, Jeanne M. LaMarre of NH and Judith A. Packer of Malden. He is also survived by 14 nieces and nephews and many friends. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton Street, Stoughton on Friday, May 11 at 11 AM. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held in the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton on Thursday, May 10 from 1-4:30 & 7-9 PM. Jim’s family has asked that memorial donations in lieu of flowers go to James W. Packer Memorial Scholarship Fund, POB 93, Stoughton, 02072. If flowers are preferred, Jim’s family has asked that flowers be in the form of perennials to be planted into a memorial garden.
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