On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Boys & Girls Club of Woburn was renamed the James L. McKeown Boys & Girls Club of Woburn, Inc. in honor of one of its founding members.

“Jamie,” as he was always known was selected “Youth of the Year” in 1974. During his college years, the Woburn native served as a part-time swimming teacher to hundreds of younger Club members, and also as aquatics director. In 1990, he became the first former youth member to be elected President of the Board of Directors and worked closely with the late Charlie Gardner.

Jamie graduated from Woburn High School in 1973. He then earned a bachelor’s degree from Salem State College, followed by a master’s degree from University of Vermont. He spent his entire career with commercial real estate firm Cummings Properties, where he began in February 1979. Jamie rose to Executive Vice President of that prominent Woburn firm, and in 1990 was named its President. He was introduced to his employer by Mr. Gardner through Cummings Properties founder Bill Cummings, himself a Club director and honorary director for many years.

Jamie was well known for his friendly, engaging personality and his impressive ability to organize projects and get things done. He was a much-acclaimed business and community leader, as well as a dedicated husband to Denise and father to Kelly and Molly. In Woburn, he was the founding incorporator of New Horizons at Choate, an early founder and director of Woburn Business Association, and treasurer of Woburn Industrial Finance Authority.

Despite his strong interest in sports and physical fitness, and his history of participating in marathons and triathlons, Jamie died at the early age of 41 on November 13, 1996, following a sudden heart attack. His integrity, professionalism, friendliness, and dedication to the community continue today within the hundreds of good friends and colleagues he so deeply influenced during his too-short life.