Dr. James Francis Tierney, Jr., 94, of Mattapoisett, Massachusetts passed away peacefully at home on Sunday June 11, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born and raised in Boston, the son of Dr. James F. Tierney, Sr. and Margaret (Crowley) Tierney.
After graduating from Boston College, he attended Boston University School of Medicine. He spent his residency at Boston University Medical Center and temporarily left to serve as a Lieutenant in the Navy Medical Corps on the aircraft carrier USS Kearsage. After completing his residency, he relocated to New Bedford to be closer to his sister, Mary Tierney Burns. He practiced medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital for over 50 years until his retirement in 2013. During his career, he also served as the Bristol County Medical Examiner and a Clinical Instructor at Tufts Medical Center.
Jim was best known for his bedside manner, sharp wit, dry sense of humor, timeless dance moves and fashionable sweaters. Aside from his love of medicine, he also loved golf and baseball and followed the Boston Red Sox closely. He was also an avid reader, often finishing his children’s required summer reading books in one evening (much to their amazement).
He was married to Jean (Galligan) Tierney for over 59 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Erin Tierney and her husband James Geraghty, James Tierney III and his wife Laura (Carlson) Tierney and Brendan Tierney and his wife Jennifer (Sodaski) Tierney. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Maeve and Liam Geraghty, Ava Tierney, and Finn, Cal and Luke Tierney. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
He was predeceased by his son, Ian Tierney, his sister, Mary Claire Burns, and her husband, William Burns, and his brother, The Honorable John A. Tierney, and his wife, former Mayor Rosemary Tierney.
His family wants to extend its sincerest thanks to his caregivers and Community Nurse Home Care of Fairhaven, both of whom took amazing care of him.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 16th at 11 am at St. Lawrence Church, 565 County St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. Visiting hours will be on Thursday, June 15th from 5-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Community Nurse Home Care, 62 Center St., Fairhaven, MA 02719. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.