James Thaddeus McQuade was born on July 29, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York to James and Ada McQuade. Shortly after graduating from Villanova University with an engineering degree, he was commissioned into the USAF in 1962. While attending training at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, he met and later married the former Mary Malpass in 1963. After working for the National Security Agency for 16 years in Washington D. C. area, Jim and his family moved to Biloxi in 1979.

Jim joined the Chevron Refinery in Pascagoula, MS and worked there until he retired in 2001. As a former volunteer firefighter and EMT in the D. C. area, and while working at Chevron Refinery, he was part of the group instrumental in creating a Fire and Rescue Response Team for Chevron.

After retiring Jim and Mary lived in Alabaster, AL, Lakeland, FL and then settled in Ave Maria, FL near their son, Michael. His hobbies included sailing, woodworking, and doing projects around the house with his three boys and seventeen grandchildren.

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary, their three sons, their wives and grandchildren—Mark and Stacy and their children Hobie, Abby, Molly, and Hardy McQuade; Robert and Margaret and their children Ryan and Megan McQuade; Michael and Jennifer and their children Rylan and his wife Tori, Curran, Keane, Hadyn, Eamon, Kai, Grace, Hope, Liam, Brogan and Maeve McQuade; his sister and her husband---Virginia and Ed Christina Sr. and their children--Edward Christina, Jr., his wife Lisa and Sharon Carmody, her husband Mike, and their families.

Fr. Joseph Lugulambi, a Ugandan priest and friend, will be celebrating the funeral Mass for Jim on Monday, October 14, 2019 at Ave Maria Catholic Church at 10 AM.

The family has designated the Ugandan School Fund for memorial contributions. Donations may be sent to Masaka Diocese/St. Anne Orphanage, c/o Michael McQuade, 5355 Chandler Way, Ave Maria, FL 34142. All monies are used to enable Ugandan orphans to attend school in Fr. Joseph's hometown.

In keeping with Jim's generous spirit, he was an organ donor. His cremains will be interred at a later date in the Biloxi National Cemetery.