James M. "Mac" Moran

James M. "Mac" Moran, of Waltham, died Sunday, January 4, 2026 at MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway, Maine. He was 89.

Mac was born in Framingham, a son of the late James and Mary (Barrett) Moran and was raised in Waltham. He was a 1956 graduate of Waltham High School.

He had a long military career beginning after high school by joining the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He served during the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm where his unit spent months in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and in Iraq.

Mac also attended Northeastern University and worked for years as a sales rep for Industrial Aluminum Company and in later years worked for the United States Postal Service before retiring in 2003.

On November 25, 1961, Mac married the love of his life, Kathleen Varley, in Saint Charles Borromeo Church, and remained lifelong Waltham residents.

Mac was involved in many organizations where his friendly smile and affable nature earned him many friends.

He was a life member of the PFC John M. Sullivan VFW Post No. 10334 and had been a member in years past of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post No. 156 where he was a member of the band.

Long active at Our Lady’s Church in Waltham he was a member of the parish choir and was a charter member and past Grand Knight of Council No. 14710. He was also a 4th Degree member of the K of C.

He was a longtime member of the Arlington Retired Men’s Club and the ‘Singing Grand-Pops’ where he and his confreres provided musical entertainment to groups far and wide.

Mac and his wife Kathleen had lots of fun and created many happy memories of weekend camping trips and visits to the scenic destinations across the country. In later years they were able to spend parts of the winter in Florida.

The husband of the late Kathleen C. (Varley) Moran [† 2024], he leaves his children, James M. Moran, Jr. and his wife Karen of Saint Augustine, Florida, Kathleen N. Donohoe and her husband Gerry of County Cavan, Ireland, Michael J. Moran and his wife, Monica of Winchester, Judith E. Chicco and her husband Paul of Sandwich, Thomas W. Moran and his girlfriend, Lorri Manning, of Waltham, John B. “Jack” Moran and his wife Eileen of Townsend; his grandchildren, Kathleen Claire “Kasey” Hamel and her husband Kyle, Emily Herlihy and her husband Andrew, Christopher and his girlfriend Felicia, Michael, Meghan, Lauren Lazar and her husband, Jeffrey, Kristen and her boyfriend, David Justin (DJ) Pothier, Julie and her husband Matthew, Troy, Daniel, Brendan, and Nicholas; his step-granddaughter, Bronagh and her husband Brian, of Ireland; his great-grandchildren, Ryan, Connor, Lillian, and Theodore “Teddy” and Robert "Robbie"; his sister, Susan Moran of Sturbridge; his sister-in-law, Marjorie McCammon of Wayland and several nieces, nephews, and their families.

Mac was also the father-in-law of the late Laurie Moran and brother of the the late Mary and Priscilla Moran.

Family and friends will honor and remember Mac's life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday, January 9th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne on Monday, January 12th at 10:45 a.m.