Coolidge's Cobbler Friend Dies After Short Illness
'Jim Lucey,' Shoemaker-Philosopher Was Known as Intimate of the Late President
Northampton, April 8 – Death this morning claimed James Lucey, 82-year-old shoemaker-philosopher and councilor of the late Calvin Coolidge. He died at his home 18 Gothic street after a brief illness.
After he had risen to the presidency, Coolidge wrote Shoemaker Lucey a letter in which he told the latter, "If it were not for you, I should not be here." When a student at Amherst College and later as a young attorney in the city, Coolidge spent a great deal of time in Mr. Lucey's shoe shop, which he had conducted for many years.
In one of his many interviews the Gothic street shoemaker stated that he would rather be known as plain "Jim Lucey" instead of the shoemaker-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge.
Mr. Lucey was born August 5, 1853, in County Kerry, Ire., eight miles from the famous lakes of Killarney. He came to this country in 1880 and for the past 50 years had engaged in the shoe making and repairing business in a little shop in the basement of his home. He stuck to old-time methods in his business and was at the shop daily until a few days ago when illness and infirmities of advanced age forced him to desist.
On January 21, 1884, Mr Lucey married Miss Anna Toohey. At the time of her marriage Mrs Lucey resided in Cambridge where Mr Lucey also resided at the time. Cobbler Lucey was known throughout the land as an intimate of the late President and although he appreciated the honor he never sought honor or publicity on that score and preferred to be known as "Jim Lucey, cobbler."
Lucey received many letters from the late President but he prized most highly one he received from Coolidge wherein the latter ascribed his success in rising to the presidency to the shoemaker. The letter also contained a word of advice. He wrote to Mr Lucey "Do not work too much and try to enjoy yourself in your well-earned leisure of age." Mr Lucey, however, did not deviate from his usual custom and worked as formerly.
Despite his advanced years, Mr Lucey possessed a keen mind, and spent many a spare hour writing poetry of which he leaves a large collection. Besides his wife, Mrs. Anna Toohey Lucey, Mr Lucey is survived by 5 daughters, Minnie, Helen and Margaret Lucey, all at home and Mrs John Tewhill and Mrs William Dunn, both of this city; two sons, James and John Lucey, both of this city, also eight grandchildren. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St Mary's church.
The funeral will be held at the late home Saturday morning at 8 followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church at 9. Burial will be in the family plot in St Mary's cemetery.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Thursday, 9 April 1936, p13)
Last Rites Held For James Lucey
Shoemaker Friend of Coolidge Buried in St Mary's Cemetery at Northampton – Many Attend Funeral
Northampton, April 11 – The funeral of James Lucey, cobbler-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge, was held this morning at the home on Gothic street followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church, modified to meet the Holy Saturday observance. Mons Thomas F. Cummings, pastor, officiated, assisted by Rev William D. Lucey of Lenox.
A floral piece accompanied by a card bearing the simple notation, "Grace Coolidge," was among the tributes in evidence at the funeral. Many people called on the family to offer their condolences and among the messages of sympathy was a note from John Coolidge, in which he expressed regret on the death of the man whose friendship was valued by his father.
Largely attended by friends, and relatives, but lacking in notables, the funeral cortege moved from the home to the church and thence to St Mary's cemetery where the burial service was held in a driving rain. Mons Cummings, assisted by Father Lucey, offered prayer at the grave.
On the wall overlooking the casket at the home of Mr Lucey was the framed letter which Coolidge wrote to the shoemaker after he became President. For all to see was the passage Coolidge wrote to bring prominence to the cobbler: -
"If it were not for you I should not be here."
The bearers were Jeremiah Lucey, Jr., of Springfield, Henry Lucey of Boston, Arthur Spring, Francis Sheehan, George Lucey and John Sullivan, all of this city.
(Springfield Sunday Union and Republican, 12 April 1936, p9A)
'Jim Lucey,' Shoemaker-Philosopher Was Known as Intimate of the Late President
Northampton, April 8 – Death this morning claimed James Lucey, 82-year-old shoemaker-philosopher and councilor of the late Calvin Coolidge. He died at his home 18 Gothic street after a brief illness.
After he had risen to the presidency, Coolidge wrote Shoemaker Lucey a letter in which he told the latter, "If it were not for you, I should not be here." When a student at Amherst College and later as a young attorney in the city, Coolidge spent a great deal of time in Mr. Lucey's shoe shop, which he had conducted for many years.
In one of his many interviews the Gothic street shoemaker stated that he would rather be known as plain "Jim Lucey" instead of the shoemaker-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge.
Mr. Lucey was born August 5, 1853, in County Kerry, Ire., eight miles from the famous lakes of Killarney. He came to this country in 1880 and for the past 50 years had engaged in the shoe making and repairing business in a little shop in the basement of his home. He stuck to old-time methods in his business and was at the shop daily until a few days ago when illness and infirmities of advanced age forced him to desist.
On January 21, 1884, Mr Lucey married Miss Anna Toohey. At the time of her marriage Mrs Lucey resided in Cambridge where Mr Lucey also resided at the time. Cobbler Lucey was known throughout the land as an intimate of the late President and although he appreciated the honor he never sought honor or publicity on that score and preferred to be known as "Jim Lucey, cobbler."
Lucey received many letters from the late President but he prized most highly one he received from Coolidge wherein the latter ascribed his success in rising to the presidency to the shoemaker. The letter also contained a word of advice. He wrote to Mr Lucey "Do not work too much and try to enjoy yourself in your well-earned leisure of age." Mr Lucey, however, did not deviate from his usual custom and worked as formerly.
Despite his advanced years, Mr Lucey possessed a keen mind, and spent many a spare hour writing poetry of which he leaves a large collection. Besides his wife, Mrs. Anna Toohey Lucey, Mr Lucey is survived by 5 daughters, Minnie, Helen and Margaret Lucey, all at home and Mrs John Tewhill and Mrs William Dunn, both of this city; two sons, James and John Lucey, both of this city, also eight grandchildren. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St Mary's church.
The funeral will be held at the late home Saturday morning at 8 followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church at 9. Burial will be in the family plot in St Mary's cemetery.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Thursday, 9 April 1936, p13)
Last Rites Held For James Lucey
Shoemaker Friend of Coolidge Buried in St Mary's Cemetery at Northampton – Many Attend Funeral
Northampton, April 11 – The funeral of James Lucey, cobbler-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge, was held this morning at the home on Gothic street followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church, modified to meet the Holy Saturday observance. Mons Thomas F. Cummings, pastor, officiated, assisted by Rev William D. Lucey of Lenox.
A floral piece accompanied by a card bearing the simple notation, "Grace Coolidge," was among the tributes in evidence at the funeral. Many people called on the family to offer their condolences and among the messages of sympathy was a note from John Coolidge, in which he expressed regret on the death of the man whose friendship was valued by his father.
Largely attended by friends, and relatives, but lacking in notables, the funeral cortege moved from the home to the church and thence to St Mary's cemetery where the burial service was held in a driving rain. Mons Cummings, assisted by Father Lucey, offered prayer at the grave.
On the wall overlooking the casket at the home of Mr Lucey was the framed letter which Coolidge wrote to the shoemaker after he became President. For all to see was the passage Coolidge wrote to bring prominence to the cobbler: -
"If it were not for you I should not be here."
The bearers were Jeremiah Lucey, Jr., of Springfield, Henry Lucey of Boston, Arthur Spring, Francis Sheehan, George Lucey and John Sullivan, all of this city.
(Springfield Sunday Union and Republican, 12 April 1936, p9A)
Coolidge's Cobbler Friend Dies After Short Illness
'Jim Lucey,' Shoemaker-Philosopher Was Known as Intimate of the Late President
Northampton, April 8 – Death this morning claimed James Lucey, 82-year-old shoemaker-philosopher and councilor of the late Calvin Coolidge. He died at his home 18 Gothic street after a brief illness.
After he had risen to the presidency, Coolidge wrote Shoemaker Lucey a letter in which he told the latter, "If it were not for you, I should not be here." When a student at Amherst College and later as a young attorney in the city, Coolidge spent a great deal of time in Mr. Lucey's shoe shop, which he had conducted for many years.
In one of his many interviews the Gothic street shoemaker stated that he would rather be known as plain "Jim Lucey" instead of the shoemaker-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge.
Mr. Lucey was born August 5, 1853, in County Kerry, Ire., eight miles from the famous lakes of Killarney. He came to this country in 1880 and for the past 50 years had engaged in the shoe making and repairing business in a little shop in the basement of his home. He stuck to old-time methods in his business and was at the shop daily until a few days ago when illness and infirmities of advanced age forced him to desist.
On January 21, 1884, Mr Lucey married Miss Anna Toohey. At the time of her marriage Mrs Lucey resided in Cambridge where Mr Lucey also resided at the time. Cobbler Lucey was known throughout the land as an intimate of the late President and although he appreciated the honor he never sought honor or publicity on that score and preferred to be known as "Jim Lucey, cobbler."
Lucey received many letters from the late President but he prized most highly one he received from Coolidge wherein the latter ascribed his success in rising to the presidency to the shoemaker. The letter also contained a word of advice. He wrote to Mr Lucey "Do not work too much and try to enjoy yourself in your well-earned leisure of age." Mr Lucey, however, did not deviate from his usual custom and worked as formerly.
Despite his advanced years, Mr Lucey possessed a keen mind, and spent many a spare hour writing poetry of which he leaves a large collection. Besides his wife, Mrs. Anna Toohey Lucey, Mr Lucey is survived by 5 daughters, Minnie, Helen and Margaret Lucey, all at home and Mrs John Tewhill and Mrs William Dunn, both of this city; two sons, James and John Lucey, both of this city, also eight grandchildren. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St Mary's church.
The funeral will be held at the late home Saturday morning at 8 followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church at 9. Burial will be in the family plot in St Mary's cemetery.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Thursday, 9 April 1936, p13)
Last Rites Held For James Lucey
Shoemaker Friend of Coolidge Buried in St Mary's Cemetery at Northampton – Many Attend Funeral
Northampton, April 11 – The funeral of James Lucey, cobbler-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge, was held this morning at the home on Gothic street followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church, modified to meet the Holy Saturday observance. Mons Thomas F. Cummings, pastor, officiated, assisted by Rev William D. Lucey of Lenox.
A floral piece accompanied by a card bearing the simple notation, "Grace Coolidge," was among the tributes in evidence at the funeral. Many people called on the family to offer their condolences and among the messages of sympathy was a note from John Coolidge, in which he expressed regret on the death of the man whose friendship was valued by his father.
Largely attended by friends, and relatives, but lacking in notables, the funeral cortege moved from the home to the church and thence to St Mary's cemetery where the burial service was held in a driving rain. Mons Cummings, assisted by Father Lucey, offered prayer at the grave.
On the wall overlooking the casket at the home of Mr Lucey was the framed letter which Coolidge wrote to the shoemaker after he became President. For all to see was the passage Coolidge wrote to bring prominence to the cobbler: -
"If it were not for you I should not be here."
The bearers were Jeremiah Lucey, Jr., of Springfield, Henry Lucey of Boston, Arthur Spring, Francis Sheehan, George Lucey and John Sullivan, all of this city.
(Springfield Sunday Union and Republican, 12 April 1936, p9A)
'Jim Lucey,' Shoemaker-Philosopher Was Known as Intimate of the Late President
Northampton, April 8 – Death this morning claimed James Lucey, 82-year-old shoemaker-philosopher and councilor of the late Calvin Coolidge. He died at his home 18 Gothic street after a brief illness.
After he had risen to the presidency, Coolidge wrote Shoemaker Lucey a letter in which he told the latter, "If it were not for you, I should not be here." When a student at Amherst College and later as a young attorney in the city, Coolidge spent a great deal of time in Mr. Lucey's shoe shop, which he had conducted for many years.
In one of his many interviews the Gothic street shoemaker stated that he would rather be known as plain "Jim Lucey" instead of the shoemaker-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge.
Mr. Lucey was born August 5, 1853, in County Kerry, Ire., eight miles from the famous lakes of Killarney. He came to this country in 1880 and for the past 50 years had engaged in the shoe making and repairing business in a little shop in the basement of his home. He stuck to old-time methods in his business and was at the shop daily until a few days ago when illness and infirmities of advanced age forced him to desist.
On January 21, 1884, Mr Lucey married Miss Anna Toohey. At the time of her marriage Mrs Lucey resided in Cambridge where Mr Lucey also resided at the time. Cobbler Lucey was known throughout the land as an intimate of the late President and although he appreciated the honor he never sought honor or publicity on that score and preferred to be known as "Jim Lucey, cobbler."
Lucey received many letters from the late President but he prized most highly one he received from Coolidge wherein the latter ascribed his success in rising to the presidency to the shoemaker. The letter also contained a word of advice. He wrote to Mr Lucey "Do not work too much and try to enjoy yourself in your well-earned leisure of age." Mr Lucey, however, did not deviate from his usual custom and worked as formerly.
Despite his advanced years, Mr Lucey possessed a keen mind, and spent many a spare hour writing poetry of which he leaves a large collection. Besides his wife, Mrs. Anna Toohey Lucey, Mr Lucey is survived by 5 daughters, Minnie, Helen and Margaret Lucey, all at home and Mrs John Tewhill and Mrs William Dunn, both of this city; two sons, James and John Lucey, both of this city, also eight grandchildren. He was a member of the Holy Name society of St Mary's church.
The funeral will be held at the late home Saturday morning at 8 followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church at 9. Burial will be in the family plot in St Mary's cemetery.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Thursday, 9 April 1936, p13)
Last Rites Held For James Lucey
Shoemaker Friend of Coolidge Buried in St Mary's Cemetery at Northampton – Many Attend Funeral
Northampton, April 11 – The funeral of James Lucey, cobbler-philosopher friend of Calvin Coolidge, was held this morning at the home on Gothic street followed by a requiem service at St Mary's church, modified to meet the Holy Saturday observance. Mons Thomas F. Cummings, pastor, officiated, assisted by Rev William D. Lucey of Lenox.
A floral piece accompanied by a card bearing the simple notation, "Grace Coolidge," was among the tributes in evidence at the funeral. Many people called on the family to offer their condolences and among the messages of sympathy was a note from John Coolidge, in which he expressed regret on the death of the man whose friendship was valued by his father.
Largely attended by friends, and relatives, but lacking in notables, the funeral cortege moved from the home to the church and thence to St Mary's cemetery where the burial service was held in a driving rain. Mons Cummings, assisted by Father Lucey, offered prayer at the grave.
On the wall overlooking the casket at the home of Mr Lucey was the framed letter which Coolidge wrote to the shoemaker after he became President. For all to see was the passage Coolidge wrote to bring prominence to the cobbler: -
"If it were not for you I should not be here."
The bearers were Jeremiah Lucey, Jr., of Springfield, Henry Lucey of Boston, Arthur Spring, Francis Sheehan, George Lucey and John Sullivan, all of this city.
(Springfield Sunday Union and Republican, 12 April 1936, p9A)
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