James R. Miceli, State Representative - represented the towns of Wilmington and Tewksbury

State Representative James R. Miceli passed away peacefully on April 21, 2018.

A man of unerring moral principles, consummate integrity and deep devotion to his constituents and, above all, his family, State Representative James R. Miceli was the second-longest serving member of the Massachusetts Legislature. He continuously represented the towns of Wilmington and Tewksbury since his 1977 election to the House of Representatives, and he was a passionate and tenacious advocate for his constituents and the causes he held dear. During his 21st term, he was Vice Chair of the House Committee on Global Warming and Climate Change and served on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, the House Committee on Personnel and Administration, and the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Rep. Miceli grew up in Boston's North End and graduated from Boston English High School in 1953. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Northeastern University in 1958 and met his beloved wife, Jean Mattson, while both were students at Northeastern. They were married on August 9, 1958, in Rockport, Massachusetts, and moved to Wilmington in 1961. Rep. Miceli began his career in the insurance industry at State Mutual Insurance Company in 1958, moving to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company a year later. In 1972, he joined the Walter G. Leavitt Agency in Stoneham and opened his agency in Wilmington in 1975. Rep. Miceli retired from his insurance business in 2000 and focused on his work in the legislature for the next nearly two decades.

Rep. Miceli's political career commenced in 1963 with his appointment to the Wilmington Planning Board. He was elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1966, and he served four terms, two as Chairman, until 1978. His first term in the House of Representatives began in late 1977.

Known for the legendary work ethic that drove his above-and-beyond effort for all he served, Rep. Miceli was kind, compassionate and exceptionally thoughtful in the many ways that he helped people throughout his life. Above all, he was dedicated to his family, and he took great pride in the accomplishments of his children, Hope, James Jr. and Christina, and his cherished grandchildren, Andrew Jr., James III, Katherine, Q Jane, Alexander and Christopher.

Rep. Miceli is the son of the late Vincenzo and Louise Miceli and brother of the late Josephine McCoy. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean; daughter and son-in-law Hope and Andrew Spalla of Trumbull, Connecticut; son and daughter-in-law James Jr. and Joanne Miceli of Sparta, New Jersey; and daughter and son-in-law Christina Miceli and Sanford Arbogast of Tewksbury. He is also survived by his grandchildren Andrew Spalla Jr. of Bridgeport, Connecticut; Katherine Spalla of Astoria, New York; James III and his wife, Shanna, Miceli of Arlington, Virginia; Q Jane and her husband, Alexander, Carleton of Fort Lupton, Colorado; and Alexander Arbogast and Christopher Arbogast of Tewksbury. Rep. Miceli is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

MICELI - Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Avenue (Route 62), Wilmington, MA, on Thursday, April 26th from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:00-9:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, April 27th at 10:30 a.m. in St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Avenue, Wilmington, MA. Interment will follow in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington, MA.



Published in Lowell Sun on Apr. 24, 2018