James A. Marr Sr. Obituary

Former Gloucester Chief of Police James A. Marr, Sr., 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1st surrounded by his family at Beverly Hospital. He was the treasured husband of Pamela S. (Costa) Marr. They shared 59 years of marriage.

Born in Gloucester on July 18, 1941, son of the late Philip and Edith (Langley) Marr.

Jim was a graduate of Gloucester High School. He earned his Bachelor's of Science Degree in Human Services & Criminal Justice from Springfield College and attended numerous workshops and professional development courses at Salem State & North Shore Community Colleges.

Before he began his career in law enforcement he was employed by Sudbay Motors, Stevens Motors, and Tally's where he worked as a parts manager and learned the ins and outs of how to fix cars and motors. He recently reminded his family that in high school he won a "Doctorate of Motors" contest from Boley's Chrysler Dodge.

Chief Marr joined the Gloucester Police Department in 1964 as a Park Constable and later became a police officer in the same year. He worked his way up through the ranks and was appointed Chief of Police in July 1989. He served as Chief for almost 14 years, retiring in 2003.

During his years of service, Chief Marr was well known for his integrity, honesty and commitment to the people of Gloucester and beyond. He was actively involved in the community in many ways including serving as a School Safety Officer.

He was immensely proud to participate in the Jimmy Fund Relay Run over the years alongside his son and members of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. It began at the New York state border and ended at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. It made him so happy to represent his City and see his Gloucester Police Chief's badge displayed on the "wall of badges" viewed by children being treated.

He was a life member of the Massachusetts and International Chiefs of Police Associations as well as the 1996 President and member of the Essex County Chiefs of Police Association.

Because of his unwavering commitment to the community he received awards for Distinguished Service, Distinguished Citizenship, and Community Service. He served as a Gloucester Rotarian for 39 years and was recognized as a Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellow.

His greatest pride and most cherished accomplishment was the family and life he created with Pam, they were an inseparable pair.

In his retirement they traveled together with friends to locations near and far by boat, plane, train, or in the family's 5th wheel camper. Their most recent trip together was a cruise through the Greek Isles.

He was a proud American who enjoyed the simple things in life; walking the block in his East Gloucester neighborhood, watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, and cooking-out with his family eating lobsters, steamers, and sweet August corn-on-the cob in his screen house. He also loved to indulge in a nice steak with a glass of wine at a fine restaurant.

In addition to his wife Pamela, he is survived by daughter Kimberly Marr-Foster and husband Colin; son James Marr Jr. and long-time companion Sarah Harwood; his beloved like a daughter MaryJo Horne whom he walked down the aisle and husband Eric; his Aunt Alice Bertolino; brother Philip "Skip" Marr; niece Wendy Blackman and husband Eric; niece Margo Marr; his sister-in-law Carole Costa; nephew Ted Costa III and wife Janice and their family Brittany, Aaron, Jenna, and Sophia who he enjoyed watching dance at recitals and was delighted she was considering a career in law enforcement; nephew Scott Costa and wife Erica.

Jim was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Retired Gloucester Police Sergeant Ted Costa who was his life-long best friend, colleague, and partner in crime.

Jim was a man everybody enjoyed being around. He was a kind and generous person who loved making people laugh. His loss leaves a void in the hearts and lives of the many he touched.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 6th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester.

His funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, March 7, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Good Voyage Church. His burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his name to the Jimmy Fund at jimmyfund.org or to the Care Dimensions, Suite B-102, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923.