James "Jim" W. Molloy

James "Jim" W. Molloy, age 72, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, surrounded by the love that defined his life. Born on December 29, 1953, in Providence, Jim was the son of the late William P. Molloy and Virginia (Valletta) Molloy. On September 8, 1978, he married the love of his life, Ann-Marie (Mercurio) Molloy. For nearly 48 years, they built a life centered on family, friendship, loyalty, and an enduring devotion to one another. That devotion became especially meaningful during Jim’s chronic health conditions. "Annie!" was not only his wife and closest companion, but also his true caregiver, tending to him with extraordinary love and dedication through every challenge. Besides his devoted wife, Jim will be carried in the hearts of his beloved children, Trisha A. Molloy and her partner, Mark Marocco, and Scott J. Molloy; and the grandchildren he adored, James Malik Molloy, Sonya Molloy, William Mirza, and Jack Mirza. To them, he was much more than a husband, father, and a Papa. He was a constant presence—the person in the audience, on the sidelines, and the center of their family. Jim also leaves his cherished siblings; Anne Liberman, Catherine and Stephen Filonow, Michael and Lillian Molloy, Mary and Patrick Fleming; his loving nieces, nephews, cousins and many lifelong friends whose lives he enriched just by being him. Jim attended St. Mary's Grammar School and graduated from Our Lady of Providence Seminary in 1972 where he played basketball and excelled on the baseball field as an All-State catcher. For over 25 years, Jim was employed as an Engineering Technician for the State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation. For more than 30 years, Jim dedicated countless hours to the Cranston League for Cranston's Future. He held various roles, including softball coach, Vice President of CLCF GALS Softball, Chairman of Boys Baseball, and Executive Board Member. In 2022, Jim was inducted into the RI Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken League Baseball Hall of Fame. In 2024, he was honored with the title of CLCF President Emeritus and the playing field at the building was dedicated in his honor. He was inducted into the CLCF GALS Softball Hall of Fame in 2026. Generations of Cranston children and families benefited from Jim’s commitment to youth sports. Despite these accomplishments, Jim found his greatest happiness in the simple things. He delighted in everything to do with his children and grandchildren including attending theater productions, cheering loudly at youth basketball games and celebrating holidays and birthdays from his recliner with everyone together. His smile and laugh will be ingrained in their memories forever. In healthier times, he enjoyed cruises, tending to his Mustang, umpiring baseball, sharing meals and coffee dates with friends, and, together with Ann-Marie, maintaining what many would argue was the finest lawn in Cranston. Even when faced with adversity, Jim treated people with kindness and respect, valued his friendships, loved his family without reservation, battled every illness with courage and bravery and never took for granted the extra years that medicine and the generosity of others allowed him to enjoy. Jim's family is profoundly grateful to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Rhode Island Hospital and Brigham & Women's Hospital, especially Dr. Gregory Couper and Dr. Anil Chandraker, whose skills and dedication gave Jim many additional years with the people he loved. Even in death, Jim found a way to help others. His family authorized an autopsy and the sharing of its findings with his transplant teams in the hope that what physicians learn from Jim’s remarkable 20-year heart transplant success may improve the lives of future transplant patients. It was a fitting final act for a man whose life was marked by gratitude, generosity, and concern for others. A Celebration of Life will be held on September 13, 2026, from 1pm-5pm at the CLCF Building located at 900 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston. In lieu of flowers, his family kindly requests you consider donating blood to the Rhode Island Blood Center or becoming an organ donor in Jim's memory. Jim will be deeply missed, but the measure of his life can be seen in the family he cherished, the friendships he kept, the young people he encouraged, and the community he quietly helped make better.