Beirne, James J. “Jim” – Fred H. McGrath & Son, Inc.

Jim Beirne of Yonkers, a man as lovable as he was passionate and full of life, passed away on Feb. 2, 2024 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in Manhattan with his family at his side. He was 78 years old.

James J. Beirne was born in Manhattan on October 29, 1945, the only son of James and Madeline (Crowley) Beirne. He and his two sisters, Madeline and Marie, grew up in the city and Jim’s love for all things New York never left him. He often walked around the city in search of hidden treasures he had read about – a plaque dedicated to Mark Twain, the old homeplate from the Polo Grounds, and of course the Old Croton Aqueduct. As a child, he and Marie would play on the Highbridge that connected the Bronx with Manhattan. And as an adult, he was delighted when the bridge was restored into a beautiful pedestrian walkway and he and Marie went back to walk it once again.

A lifelong learner, Jim graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School and went on to get his Bachelor’s Degree at Iona College and a Masters Degree from Hunter College.

In 1983, after working in the insurance industry for several years, Jim founded Beirne Associates, a trial preparation firm in Scarsdale, which last year celebrated its 40th year in business. The same year, he met Rosemary McManus while training at Fordham University for a triathlon. They married in 1986 and settled in Yonkers, where they have lived ever since.

Along with his business, where he still worked full-time, Jim was passionate about a host of hobbies that for him took on the importance of full-time work. A former president of the Racquet Club on Park Hill, he spent most of his free time there playing tennis and pickleball, acting in and producing plays for the Park Hill Players that he revived after it was dormant for decades, and socializing about books and current events. He also performed in black box theater at the Actors’ Playhouse in Manhattan, and gave tours of the Old Croton Aqueduct Keeper’s House in Dobbs Ferry.

Abraham Lincoln was his ultimate hero, and 8 years ago Jim began reciting the Gettysburg Address to whoever would listen. He would stop on a street corner where a small crowd would gather, and he even recited it on Speakers’ Corner in London’s Hyde Park. He believed it was the most important speech of all time, and thought every American needed to hear it at a time of such deep divisions in our nation.

Along with Rosemary, Jim is survived by three children, Brendan Beirne and his wife Lindsey, Aodhan Beirne, and Nora McNamara and her husband, Patrick; his beloved grandchildren, Olivia and George; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Cardinal Hayes High School here: https://www.hayeschampions.org/give/step-1.

Condolences(12)

Joanne and Peter Mackey says
February 4, 2024 at 5:15 pm

We are so sorry to hear this news and the loss to your family. We are Nora’s Aunt and Uncle in law. Meeting Jim at her wedding we could see where she received her joy and passion for life. Our prayers are with you all in the days ahead for strength and comfort. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in eternal peace.
Tara & Niall Freeman says
February 4, 2024 at 6:19 pm

We are so deeply sorry to hear about this tremendous loss. Our love is with your family today and always.
Chris Harris says
February 4, 2024 at 6:52 pm

I’ve had the pleasure of working with James for 23 years. He treated my family like his own. James had a special relationship with my boys Jack and Padraig who they volunteered with James at The Aqueduct on many occasions. I will miss our conversations on Irish history. I am heart broken.
Des Smyth says
February 5, 2024 at 8:23 am

Dearest Rosemary, Brendan, Nora and Aodhan your Irish Cousins wish to express their deepest sympathy on the death of Jim. We loved his humour and spirit and his sense of adventure and participation in any activity that interested him.
He was so kind to us on our visits to the US.
He will be missed by everybody who knew him but especially you his cherished Family. May he rest in eternal peace.
Des Alice Sara Grace and Susie
Ana Garcia says
February 5, 2024 at 8:40 am

I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Jim’s passing. I hope his family can find comfort in knowing how many people were touched by his kind soul. Please accept my sincere condolences to all.
Bettina Hollis says
February 5, 2024 at 10:23 am

I’ve known Jim for about nine years, and every time I saw him or spoke to him on the phone, he lit up the room with his cheer, humor and wit and made me smile. His absence will be noticed but his memory will keep us smiling. Please accept my sincere condolences for this loss. I hope and pray his family are comforted by his memory and those of his many admirers.
Steve & Diana Spiegler says
February 5, 2024 at 11:39 am

God must have a huge tennis match coming up and he needed the best doubles partner he could think of. We love you Jimbo!! We’ll miss you!!
Liz Meehan Neighbors says
February 5, 2024 at 11:49 am

Rosemary, Brendan, Aodhan and Nora,
Sending you love and prayers from Madison. We are old friends of the McManus family in Madison.
Over the years, we’ve waved & wished Merry Christmas as George, Jen, Pearse & Bryan would head down to your house, “Rosemary & Jim’s”, for Christmas Eve. We’ve enjoyed updates on Rosemary & Jim’s kids….college choices & wonderful weddings. Over dog walks or morning coffee, we’ve heard about Jim’s stage performances. We’ve said prayers for Jim & family during the most challenging times. His incredible spirit & determination & sense of humor was inspiring to all. We’ve been rooting for Jim through it all.
May you feel his love & warmth in your hearts everyday. May your memories with family & friends be like sunshine on a dark day.
Deidre A. McGlynn says
February 5, 2024 at 12:11 pm

May your happy memories give you peace and comfort during this challenging time. I am sharing in your sadness as you remember Jim. Praying for you during this difficult time. I have had the complete pleasure to work with Jim this last 34 years. He is surely one of a kind!
Meg Esposito says
February 5, 2024 at 5:44 pm

Mrs. Beirne and family,
Deepest condolences at this very difficult time. May your husband Rest in Peace. We are praying for all of you.

Sincerely,
Meg, Tom, and Cathreena Esposito
Shirley Perlman says
February 6, 2024 at 9:23 pm

Dear Rosemary,
So very sorry to hear of your husband’s passing.
Thinking of you at this difficult time,
Shirley Perlman
Lesley Yu Walter, Mavis Cain, Adrienne Bortree says
February 7, 2024 at 11:04 am

We, The Friends of The Old Croton Aqueduct, will dearly miss Jim Beirne. He was the most exuberant, most reliable docent on record at our Keepers House Visitor Center in Dobbs Ferry. Jim had a visceral connection to the High Bridge section of Manhattan, to The Bronx and to Yonkers – all places where the Old Croton Aqueduct was part of the neighborhood. Jim was joyous! But he took his job as aqueduct interpreter seriously!
It was Jim who piqued our curiosity about Irish heritage and presence in New York City. As docents we all knew that Irish immigrant lads built the Old Croton Aqueduct; but it was another thing to discover through Jim’s stories how Catholic schools shaped the 1950s High Bridge neighborhood and how carefully the nuns introduced the new boys on the block, Dominicans, to his class.
Jim inspired many State Park visitors and all his fellow docents. We will sorely miss his generous smile hovering over the front porch of the Keepers House – where he scouted potential visitors and very Irishly beguiled them to step inside.
All of us at The Friends, and all the docents, send our condolences. Jim made us all smile.

Beirne, James J. “Jim” October 29, 1945 - February 2, 2024

Condolences(12)

Joanne and Peter Mackey says

Tara & Niall Freeman says

Chris Harris says

Des Smyth says

Ana Garcia says

Bettina Hollis says

Steve & Diana Spiegler says

Liz Meehan Neighbors says

Deidre A. McGlynn says

Meg Esposito says

Shirley Perlman says

Lesley Yu Walter, Mavis Cain, Adrienne Bortree says

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