WILMINGTON — Floral wreaths lined the walls of St. Thomas Villanova Church Friday morning. At the front of the church, an assortment of yellow and pink flowers sat in the pristine church.
Scott Ness played ethereal songs on the piano as people filed into the pews, looking to pay their respects to the late Rep. Jim Miceli. The church felt bright and airy, with the little sun of the day shining through the large stained-glass windows.
Some in the congregation brought tissues to dab tears from their eyes. Others kneeled and bowed their heads as soon as they got to their seats. More than 200 people arrived to honor a man who dedicated more than 40 years of his life representing the towns of Tewksbury and Wilmington on Beacon Hill.
The congregation rose as Miceli’s casket was brought down the aisle. Family and friends followed behind, distraught, as everyone sang “Amazing Grace.”
The Rev. Philip Earley told the congregation that much of our lives are invested in work. When you finding meaning in your work, it can become a source of enrichment for yourself and others, he said. Earley said, when work is done freely, it is not a chore, but a pleasure that brings on its own rewards. He said Miceli lived and died performing the vocation of a dedicated public servant.
“No person, no person, could have been a better advocate than Jim Miceli,” Earley said.
While many in the communities of Tewksbury and Wilmington knew Miceli as the state representative who greatly valued his constituents, Earley emphasized that he was also a dedicated family man. Earley advised the family not to waste time trying to name a bridge or highway after Miceli. Instead, he said to honor him, they should strive to be like him.
As the congregation filed to the front of the church for communion, they made the sign of the cross and gently sang “Be Not Afraid.”
“Be not afraid.
I go before you always;
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.”
Miceli’s three children, Hope Spalla, Christina Miceli and Jim Miceli, Jr., all gave his eulogy. Spalla said her father taught her kindness and compassion, which she brings with her in her teaching profession. She said her father always told her that you never know what someone may be going through.
“We know he was in the community 24/7, but he was also with us all that time,” Spalla said. “He never missed anything.”
Christina Miceli said everywhere she goes she will constantly be reminded of her father, who has left his mark. She said he was a gift and a treasure to be shared with all. She remembered growing up and hearing the phone ringing at home at all hours of the day and night from people seeking her father’s help. They knew to call him because he was reliable. Christina Miceli said that did not deter from how incredibly helpful he was to his family as well.
“We have so many endless memories of the things he did for us,” she said.
Miceli Jr. said he was proud to be named after his father. He said in the past few days alone, he has heard a magnitude of positive stories of his father. Miceli Jr. said when times are tough, he thinks what would his father do.
“That means he’s still here with us,” he said.
After the ceremony, the congregation traveled to the Wildwood Cemetery to say a prayer for Miceli. Dozens of beautiful flowers surrounded the casket. Some stepped forward to take a flower in honor of Miceli. Others placed flowers atop his casket for the last time before he was buried.
People embraced on the breezy and cloudy afternoon at the cemetery. All that could be heard was light chatter, sniffling and birds chirping.
There’s no doubt that the legacy of a man who was a fixture in Tewksbury and Wilmington for decades will live on.
Follow Kori Tuitt on Twitter @KoriTuitt.
