PORTLAND — James M. McDonough, 83, retired assistant district attorney of Suffolk County, Mass., died on April 23 at Good Samaritan Hospital after a lengthy illness.

McDonough was the youngest of five children born to James and Nora Lee McDonough. He graduated from Cheverus HIgh School in 1946 and received a full scholarship to Boston College, graduating in 1950. While at Boston College, he was the vice president and secretary of the Fulton Debating Society and a member of the Cross and Crown Honor Society.

On Jan. 27, 1951 he married his high school sweetheart, Regina T. Foley. He graduated third in his law school class while raising three children under the age of three. He was admitted to the bar in 1953 and worked in the office of Isadore H.Y. Muchnick from 1954-1959. In 1959 he entered private practice in Boston and later went on to work as a legal assistant in the office of the district attorney of Suffolk County.

In 1979 he became a full-time assistant district attorney. Upon retirement, he was in charge of presentations to the grand jury. He received the Thomas J. Mundy Award, bestowed by former prosecutors, for his distinguished service to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

McDonough taught himself to play the organ by ear and enjoyed music, the arts, golf and his family.

He was predeceased by brothers Edward J. McDonough and Wiliam S. McDonough.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Regina; children Kathryn M. Hinderhofer of Wellesley, Mass., James M. McDonough Jr. of West Roxbury, Mass., Anne E. Black of Hingham, Mass., William P. McDonough of Chicago, Ill., Regina M. Vaughan of Wethersfield, Conn., Margaret M. Webster and Patricia F. Marsen, both of Easton, Mass.; siblings Mary R. Young of Melrose, Mass. and Anne B. Rowe of Falmouth; 13 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours were held April 16 at Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home, West Roxbury, Mass. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on April 26 at St. Theresa of Avila Church. Interment took place in Mt. Benedict Cemetery, West Roxbury, Mass.

Donations in McDonough’s memory may be made to Boston College, Fulton Debating Society, 140 Commonwealth Ave., Chestnut Hill, MA, 02467.

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