James retired in 1993 from the New York City Department of Sanitation. He proudly served in the United States Navy for 4 years during the Vietnam War and then went on to serve for 20 years in the United States Army Reserves.
James is predeceased by his parents James and Mary (Trayling) Somerville, and brother-in-law Peter Portalatin. Survived by his loving wife of 33 years Debbie (Gatti) Somerville; loving daughter Irene Lanigan and husband John of Brooklyn, NY; sons James Somerville and wife Debi of Staten Island, NY, and Jason Somerville and wife Rebecca of Brick, NJ; brother Chris Somerville; sisters Margaret Somerville and Pauline Chainey; sister-in-law Malia Portalatin; brothers-in-law Philip Gatti and wife Cathy, and Nicholas Gatti and wife May; adored grandchildren, Paige and Arielle Somerville, Kaitlyn and Gavin Lanigan, and Grant and Kayleigh Somerville; nephews Keith, Erik, Philip, Justin, Nicholas, Peter, Paul, and Jimmy; nieces Donna, Dina, and Nicole.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd, Toms River, NJ.
A Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 250 Old Squan Road, Brick, NJ. Burial immediately following at General William Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, 1710 NJ-71, Wall Township, NJ 07719.
