Timothy O’Driscoll McInerney, most recently of Derry, New Hampshire, died Saturday, July 5th, after a brief illness. Mr. McInerney was the husband of the late Marguerite Kirby McInerney and the father of Mrs. F. Gerard (Carolyn) McGrath and Mrs. Bruce D. (Janet) Sargent of Darien, Connecticut, Mr. Timothy D. McInerney of New York City, Ms. Susan Ellen McInerney of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Mr. Harvey Jay McInerney of Natick, Massachusetts.
Born in Boston in 1917, Mr. McInerney was the son of the late Timothy Dennis McInerney and Mary Frances O’Driscoll McInerney. He was predeceased by his three siblings: Mary Clare Lajoie, Harvey James McInerney, and Daniel J. McInerney, Esq.
Educated in Boston by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the Brothers of the Order of St. Francis Xavier, and the Redemptorist Fathers at the Mission School, Mr. McInerney graduated as Class Orator from Suffolk University Law School in 1941. An interest in politics that stemmed from his family background (two uncles having served in the Massachusetts Legislature) led him to service in the political arena. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from l944 to 1952 followed by several terms on the Boston School Committee. He served in the Massachusetts National Guard during WWII as First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate General’s office.
Mr. McInerney was a Massachusetts District Court Clerk, where his father was Chief Court Officer for 35 years, prior to establishing his law practice. He was a member of the Charitable Irish Society, the Eire Society, the Irish American Partnership, the Irish Cultural Center, the Irish Georgian Society, the American Ireland Fund, and the Knights of Columbus. He was also an Honorary Life Member of the International Association of Firefighters and until recently served as vice president of the Massachusetts Legislators Association.
He was a long-time member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Sierra Club, the Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations, and was a founding and lifelong member of the Horticultural Society.
In retirement, Mr. McInerney was an active gardener, book collector, and vigorously pursued his interests in real estate, history, genealogy, and geography through coursework at Northeastern University and Harvard College. He lectured on genealogy and history before a number of organizations in the late "Nineties and was guest lecturer on New England Politics at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum Senior Seminars several times.
In addition to his five children, Mr. McInerney is survived by his ten grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and 13 nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, July 15, in the Robert J. Lawler and Crosby Funeral Home 1803 Centre Street, West Roxbury. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Mission Church) 1545 Tremont Street, Roxbury on Wednesday July 16th at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to The School Sisters of Notre Dame Retirement Community in Wilton, Connecticut. 345 Belden Hill Rd., Wilton CT. 06897 www.lawlerfuneralhome.com