James J. Montgomery
Died: Mar 20, 2015
James J. Montgomery, 83 of Hackettstown and formerly of West Orange, passed on Friday March 20 at home. As the Spring Equinox arrived, Jim exited this world to a beautiful awakening in heaven.
A baseball player from Boston, he moved to New Jersey and taught in the East Orange School District and at Rutgers University for 30 years. In 1960, he married the love of his life - Joan Dougherty Montgomery.
Jim was a graduate of the University of Vermont class of 1954 where he was known as "Diamond Jim" and was inducted into the University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981 for both Baseball and Football. Jim was also a Kappa Sig brother. A veteran of the United States Army, he served in Germany with the Army Rangers with the rank of 1st Lt. He later obtained his Masters degree from Fordham University.
Jim was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, South Orange Council.
Born in Boston, he was a son of the late Alfred and Kathleen McNeil Montgomery. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Montgomery; three sons - James and his wife Brenda, Daniel and John, a daughter; Mary Yarussi and her husband Nicholas; a brother; George, a sister; Alma Gibbons and eight grandchildren: Michael, Maureen, John Patrick, Riley, Cathan, Meghan, Katie and James.
Jim's greatest love was his family. He also loved poetry and would frequently recite his favorite poems to his friends and loved ones. Many times he quoted Isla Richardson's line, " t'was heaven here with you ." It was.
May you rest in peace, Jim, Dad, Pop-Pop. We love you always.
Funeral Mass Wednesday will be held on March 25th at 11 am at St Mary's Church of the Assumption, Hackettstown.
Friends may call on Tuesday, March 24th from 6 - 8 pm at the Cochran Funeral Home 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers or donations, please give the gift of time to those you love
Condolences:
Joan Montgomery Brown, John's Daughter
#12
November 8th, 2015 8:25 pm
I am saddened to be reading this. Another Montgomery to enter the gates of Heaven this past year. May he rest in peace and be joined by all those who love him in our great big family.
Joan Brown Boston MA
I was searching for the family at the request of Pauline
John & Melanie McGee
#11
March 25th, 2015 11:53 pm
Your family has been in our prayers all week. Jim was a wonderful man whom I was lucky to get to know all those years ago. Some of his sayings are still in my lexicon today. I think he had a great sense of humor and an even better character. The proof is in the quality of people closest to him. Our love and condolences, we send to you. John & Melanie
John Lindner
#10
March 24th, 2015 6:48 pm
Mary and family,
I met Jim and your mother several times at your house by the pool. Jim's stories were wonderful and full of life. We thoroughly enjoyed the stories and our short time we spent together. It was so nice to see the care you gave your parents and the great relationship you had. Jim is at peace now and in a better place. Some day we will all be together again listening to Jim's stories.
Love John, Lisa and Lauren.
Father Jack Baron
#9
March 24th, 2015 10:03 am
Dear Joan, Jim, Dan, John and Mary,
I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. May the Lord reward him for all the good he accomplished in his life. I will arrange to have mass celebrated for him and for all of you.
I have such good memories of life at Our Lady of the Valley when we all were much younger. I often, especially, think of Danny and I would so appreciate reconnecting with Dan after all these years. I am living full time in Avalon for the last eight years. The home phone is 609-368-6538, the cell is 973-715-9821, and my email is jbbaron1@verizon.net
Please be assured of my thoughts and prayers for all of you at this time.
FrJack
Regina (Grieb) Cullen
#8
March 23rd, 2015 5:18 pm
With fond memories, I recall the many years I worked with Jim at East Orange High School and served with him on many Association of Mathematics Teacher of New Jersey(AMTNJ) committees. Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss but relish the many memories you no doubt have of knowing Jim all these years. Regina (Ginger Grieb) Cullen
T. Hinton
#7
March 23rd, 2015 3:54 pm
Many condolences to your family during your time of mourning. May you find comfort in know that "the last enemy, death, is to be brought to nothing."(1 Corinthians 15:26)
Theresa De Nova and the West Orange Health Department
#6
March 23rd, 2015 3:24 pm
Dear Jim and Family; I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I know that you and your family members did everything that you could to care for him during the last few years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob Kizlinski
#5
March 23rd, 2015 1:51 pm
John & Family - We are deeply sorry for your loss. Your dad seemed like an amazing man. Our prayers go out to You and the entire Montgomery Family.
Paul Krasnodenski
#4
March 23rd, 2015 10:35 am
To John and the Montgomery Family,
I am very sorry for your loss. I hope that after this difficult time you are able to celebrate in his memory. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul K.
Matt Bolger
#3
March 23rd, 2015 8:07 am
John,
My condolences to you and your family. I pray that you have the strength to celebrate the life your Dad lived and not mourn the loss. It was a pleasure to read about his many accomplishments. May he now find peace in the next world.
Matt
Ronnie DelBacco
#2
March 23rd, 2015 7:17 am
John and Family,
I'm so sorry for your loss. James sounds like he lived life to the fullest and loved his family dearly. My prayer for you is that God will comfort you during this time and as time passes that He will always bring a smile to your face at every remembrance of James.
My prayers are with you.
Ronnie
J. Michael Nuspl
#1
March 22nd, 2015 12:07 pm
To the Montgomery family…I knew Jim for more than 30 years through his service with the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ) as our long time AMTNJ Treasurer and member of many program committees. I also worked with Jim at East Orange and served on several AMTNJ program committees with him. We will certainly miss him…..Dr. J. Michael Nuspl aka Mick Nuspl..
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