Patrick John (PJ) Cummiskey – Age 21, passed away Thursday, March 2nd, surrounded by family at the Massachusetts General Hospital from complications of a heart infection. The strength and courage present during his illness did not stray from who he was in life.
He was born in Lowell, June 17, 2001, a son of Thomas and Christiann (McDermott) Cummiskey and lived in Billerica all of his life.
PJ graduated from Billerica Memorial High School, class of 2019. At the time of his passing, he was a senior at Westfield State. Throughout his life, PJ was an avid athlete, starting with soccer and hockey at a very young age. He continued with hockey through high school and in between played football, lacrosse, baseball, was a member of the 2018 State Championship Ultimate Frisbee team and the Westfield State golf team.
PJ loved being outside, whether on the beach with his mom, the golf course, especially with his dad and brothers or at the lake with friends. Aptly nicknamed ‘The Mayor’, a memory was inevitably created simply because of PJ’s presence.
PJ’s love of animals, most of all his dog, Riggins, was eclipsed by his empathy and connection to children. As a psychology major PJ aspired to work in a therapeutic position with a focus on children. PJ was the first to toss a ball in the backyard or play a game with some of the younger people in his life all of whom gravitated to him instinctively. He took joy in making kids laugh, teaching them new things, or just spending time. This was no act, PJ’s authenticity was a quality seldom seen in someone so young
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Besides his parents, PJ is survived by his brothers, Shane and Ryan Cummiskey of Billerica, his maternal grandmother Beverly A (McGowan) McDermott of Billerica, his uncle Charles (Buddy) Cummiskey and his wife Janice of Spencer, aunt Kerrianne McDermott of Nashua and his cousin Kendra McDermott, her fiancé Jason Lopes and their son Colton also of Nashua, extended family and countless friends.
At the request of the family, all funeral arrangements will be private and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The PJ Cummiskey Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Enterprise Bank 674 Boston Road, Billerica, MA 01821.
