James Richard "J.R." Moran, a beloved member of the Swampscott community, passed away on the evening of November 15th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. J.R. was 44 years old and leaves behind his wife, Sarah Moran, and three beautiful daughters, Madeline (8), Amelia (6), and Vivian (1).
J.R. was born and raised in Swampscott, MA, by his parents, Laurence and Judith Moran, along with his brother, William, and sister, Elizabeth. Growing up, if he wasn't playing baseball or tennis, you could find him spending time with his lifelong friends who turned into brothers, "The Sub T's." Known for their mischievous spirit, this tight knit group created many memories together filled with adventure, laughter, and shenanigans that J.R. cherished throughout his life.
J.R. had a passion for people. From the age of 16, he worked tirelessly at his family establishment, Cornwall's Tavern in Kenmore Square. Throughout his career, he worked side by side with his brother, with whom he led Cornwall's day in and day out. He could be found in the kitchen or popping out to say hello to regulars. He was the true heart and soul of the restaurant, making everyone who walked in the doors feel welcome and at ease. Whether at work or at home, J.R. was always thinking of others, and the first one to ask how you were doing, or share a story. He connected with people from all walks of life, calling everyone a friend.
J.R.'s greatest accomplishment, however, was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Sarah, and a dedicated father to their three children. They loved sharing special times with their close friends down at the Beach Club, shooting the breeze by the pool, and vacationing together in Maine. His greatest joy was watching his three young daughters laugh and play. A kid at heart himself, there was nowhere he would rather be than home with his girls.
J.R.'s battle with colon cancer was admirable and showed his true bravery. He faced it with courage, grace, and determination. Throughout his treatment, he continued to inspire those around him with his positive attitude and unwavering spirit. He was always quick to crack a joke and was a beloved favorite among the nurses at Dana Farber. He was a super human who showed super strength and humility over the past four years.
J.R. will be deeply missed by his family, friends, coworkers, and the entire Swampscott community. He was the easiest person to love and everyone who knew him only had love and adoration for him. His memory will live on through the countless lives he touched and the legacy of kindness and humor he leaves behind.
In addition to his wife and children, J.R. is survived by his parents, Judith and Laurence Moran of Swampscott. His brother, Billy Moran, and his wife, Lauren, and their three children, Olive, Etta, and Harvey, of Beverly. His sister, Elizabeth Moran, and her fiance, William Jamieson, of Duxbury. His aunt and uncle, Pamela and John Beale, of Boston. His in-laws, Jay and Mary Homan, of Marblehead. His brother-in-law, John Homan, and his wife, Carly, of Beverly and his sister-in-law, Kathryn Homan, of South Boston. Lastly, J.R. is survived by his many aunts, uncles, cousins, and his countless friends of Swampscott.
The Moran Family would like to personally thank Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt, Mike Casey, and his favorite nurse, Mikaela Carney, as well as the entire team at Dana Farber who took such wonderful care of J.R. over the past four years.
A celebration of life will be held in J.R.'s honor at Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead, MA, on Monday, November 25th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in J.R.'s memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by visiting www.dana-farber.org. Alternatively, contributions to support his daughters can be made at: https://gofund.me/95c383df.