James Richard Meehan

Known for the twinkle in his eye, his inquisitive nature, his rich baritone, and his dedication to his wife and family, Jim Meehan, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, passed away on December 23, 2020. Jim was born on Jan 15, 1940 in New York, New York. The son of Jim (?) Meehan and Amandina Meehan, he was the oldest of three children, raised in  Rego Park andElmhurst, Queens. Excelling academically and athletically, Jim was nominated to attend  Stuyvesent High School and graduated in June of 1956.  During high school, he enjoyed his first job as a soda jerk at a local candy store and began a lifelong interest in the sport of  basketball. In fact, basketball brought him to his love, his wife of 57 years, Phyllis Harvey Meehan, who first saw Jim on the basketball court when she was 14 and Jim was 17. They married on April 20, 1963. Thus began a true love story which resulted in a happy full life with three sons, four grandsons and adventures a plenty.

Jim graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in February of 1963 and volunteered as a National Guardsman. After his time with the service, Jim began a successful career in accounting and later as a Chief Financial Officer which took him across the country and back three times, as well as to far flung locations all over the globe. He worked as an accountant for several firms on the east coast before moving to Houston, Texas, and then, six years later to Walnut Creek, California, where he spent the next  years at Kaiser Engineers and Brown and Caldwell.  It was in Walnut Creek that he and Phyllis raised their sons, Tom, Jim, Jr., and Ed and Jim began his spirited basketball coaching career, often coaching for his sons’ teams. In 1990, Jim and Phyllis moved back to the east coast, residing in Upper Montclair, NJ, before moving back to Walnut Creek. 

Jim and Phyllis loved to travel and visited many places together. Particular highlights were trips to Italy to see Jim’s family home of Prali and Courgne, as well as other travel in Europe. He also visited  Japan, China, South America, the Middle East, Israel, and Brazil and traveled to Australia on business. However, the most beloved place Jim visited was Napili, Maui with his family. One special trip was to celebrate Jim and Phyllis’ 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2013.

One of Jim’s greatest joys in his life were his grandchildren, Carson, Grant, Aaron, and Will. He was a faithful fan at their sporting events and plays and he never turned down a hug and a conversation with his grandsons. 

Jim lived a life of service and was a member of SIR 146 and volunteered as a finance manager for his son Ed’s Theatre program at Acalanes high school where he became a favorite of students and staff. 

Jim will be remembered for his devotion to family and his love of a simple life. He was an honest man. 

Jim is survived by his loving wife Phyllis, his sons Tom (Herminia), Jim (Elena), and Ed (Natalie); his grandsons, Carson and Grant, Aaron, and Will; his sister Linda and his brother Ken (Barbara); and many sisters and brothers in-law, nieces and nephews, and friends.