Marine and former Mass. State Trooper
Published in the January 10, 2018 edition
LYNNFIELD — James F. “Jim” Mackin, 70, a former Massachusetts State Trooper, died unexpectedly at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston on Jan. 3, 2018.
Jim is survived by his wife Lisa Fiandaca of Lynnfield. He is also survived by his children: Christopher Mackin of Hampstead, New Hampshire; Timothy Mackin and his wife Kelly of Ipswich; and Alison (Mackin) Young of Woburn. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Jackson and Aidan Young; and Cole and Ava Mackin. Jim also leaves behind 12 siblings: Louise Mackin of Dorchester; John Mackin and his wife Patricia of Kingston; David Mackin and his wife Sally of Dorchester; Joseph Mackin and his wife Maureen of Norwell; Frances Lawlor and her husband Kenneth of Quincy; Joanne Mackin of Dorchester; Jane Mengesha and her husband Haile of Malden; Marie Garner of Quincy; Paul Mackin and his wife Therese of Auburn, New Hampshire; Virginia O’Brien and her husband James of Milton; Robert Mackin of Dorchester; Elizabeth Garvey of Milton; and the mother of his children, Dorothy Aiello, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Jim was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire, on October 13, 1947 to John E. Mackin Jr. and Emily (Eastman) Mackin. The family later moved to South Boston then Dorchester. He was a graduate of Boston Technical High School, Class of 1966, and was a member of the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corp from 1963-1967 and marched at the inauguration of Lyndon B. Johnson. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era and served his country for five years, receiving an Honorable discharge in 1972. Upon returning to Massachusetts, Jim joined the Massachusetts State Police, graduating from MSP Class 59 in 1975. Much of his time as a trooper was spent at Boston’s Logan International Airport, F-Troop. Colleagues described him as compassionate, kind and generous, some remembering the night when Jim rescued a dog at Logan Airport – and took him home. Jim retired after 34 years of service.
As much as Jim loved being a Marine and a Massachusetts State Trooper, his greatest love was his wife Lisa, his children and grandchildren. Jim raised his children in Lynnfield. A licensed plumber, Jim could build and fix just about anything. He remodeled their home for Lisa and the kids. Known as Papa to his four grandchildren, Jim adored watching Patriots games with the kids. He never missed cheering the kids on at school or sporting events and enjoyed taking the family to York Beach, Maine on vacation. Jim was incredibly generous and was always the first to offer his help to his big extended family as well as friends and neighbors.
Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with the family on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 3-8 p.m., at the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave., Wakefield.
A funeral service celebrating Jim’s Eternal Life will be held on Thursday, January 11, at 11 a.m., at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 127 Summer St., Lynnfield. Those attending are kindly asked to go directly to church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Boston Children’s Hospital, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Salem Hospital, Mass General Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital for his care.
