Jeremiah J. O'Riordan

Jeremiah Joseph O’Riordan was born March 21, 1942, in Boherbue, County Cork, Ireland, a son of the late Timothy and Martha (McAuliffe) O’Riordan and brother to Timothy and Eileen. Raised and educated in Ireland he immigrated to the United States at the age of 19 in 1960. He came all the way to America to meet a woman from the county next door, Irene B. Rohan of Kerry, while at an Irish dance. They later married in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church and made Waltham their home ever since. 

After working as a laborer in construction for several years, Irene encouraged Jerry to get his operator’s license so he could work on heavy equipment. He loved to operate backhoes and excavators, and was proud to have worked on sites all throughout the Boston area, including the ‘Big Dig’. Jerry never saw work as a chore, and continued working into his 70’s, until his wife’s health caused him to retire to care for her. Irene died this past January the 27th, 2024. They were married for almost 52 years.

Jerry also had a passion for Irish music and loved to go see live bands as well as play his accordion, like his father did before him. He also loved to go back home to Ireland as much as possible, to visit family and friends and to keep up his family home. 

Jerry passed away at home Saturday, November 23, 2024, 10 months after his beloved Irene. He was 82.

He leaves his children, Justin R. O’Riordan, and Colleen M. O’Riordan, both of Waltham; his brother Timothy O'Riordan of Dorchester; and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jeremiah’s life by gathering for an Evening Wake in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rt. 20) Waltham on Friday, December 6th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 9 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 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Irish Pastoral Centre, 540 Gallivan Blvd, Unit Rear, Dorchester, MA 02124 https://www.ipcboston.org/