Deacon James J. Stahlnecker

Deacon James Stahlnecker

1939 - 2025

Obituary of Deacon James Stahlnecker

On February 28th, 2025, Deacon James Stahlnecker of Staten Island passed away. During his last few weeks of life, he continued to receive the tireless love, care and support of his beloved daughter, Eileen, who cared for him as well as all his grandchildren. His loving wife, Jean Anne, preceded him in death on August 15th, 1991.

Visitation: Rosary starting at 2:00 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, with Visitation continuing until 6:00 p.m. The address for Harmon Funeral Home is 571 Forest Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310.

Mass of Christian Burial: On Monday, March 10th, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Church of Our Lady of Pity, 1616 Richmond Ave, Staten Island, NY 10314.

Interment: 12:00-12:30 @ St. Peters Cemetery, 52 Tyler Ave., Staten Island, NY 10310

Known simply as “Jim,” “Deacon Jim,” “Dad,” or “Pop,” he was born on June 6th, 1939, in Brooklyn, NY. His parents, Lawrence, and Rita (Fisher) Stahlnecker were a match made in heaven. He graduated from Fordham University on June 13th, 1962, and proceeded to honorably serve our country in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Deacon James married Jean Anne, his beloved wife, on December 16th, 1972, and accepted the call to Holy Orders by being ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of New York on November 23rd, 1991, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by His Eminence Cardinal O’Connor.

Some highlights of Deacon Jim’s accomplishments are graduating from Fordham University, becoming a Merrill Lynch Vice President, a President of a financial industry organization, a Board of Directors officer for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, as well as a volunteer executive that masterminded various successful fundraising initiatives. These gifts of treasure were additional to his gifts of time to the Catholic church as a lector, pro-life advocate and sidewalk counselor as well as daily Mass devotee (even when traveling away on business trips for Merril Lynch). He built schools, a grotto, a self-sustaining skills center for the poorest of the poor in India. He generously gave to the least of God’s people by funding food campaigns for poor widows and children in the most desperate and hopeless areas of India & Africa. He saved countless lives of unborn children through his ministry of supporting prolife and sidewalk counseling in Brooklyn, NY. He spread the gospel by supporting initiatives of the new evangelization, like John Leaps, non-profit. God used him also most notably for starting the Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration chapel on Staten Island which produced spiritual fruit for Catholics and the church immeasurably for years. Lastly, Deacon Jim, affectionately known as ‘Pop’, was the family anchor and loving presence of support, strength and inspiration for his beloved family and extended family. A beloved Dad and Grandpa loved his children and grandchildren profoundly and truly felt that ‘home is where the heart is; and his heart was always with family. He resided with his family even during his last challenging month of life.

Deacon Jim was a highly spiritual man that brilliantly shined God’s light both in private and public. His love was the essence of agape, the very highest degree. What earth has lost; heaven has gained.

He is survived by children: Eileen, Jimmy, and Joey, grandchildren: Christopher, Alexandra, Jason, Brian, Joseph Junior, Kayla, Lucas, Emily, Dean, Robert, and Matthew, sister and brother: Maryann and John; Niece: Joanne Gilmartin, family dog; Julie and numerous extended family; as well as many, many close friends, including his best friend, Don Reilly. Thank you also for the friendship of the following notable clergy, Bishop John O’Hara, Bishop Peter Byrnes, Bishop Joe Coffey, and Father Ben Chinnappan.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in Deacon’s Jim’s honor to his favorite charity, Dalit Solidarity, @ https://www.dalitsolidarity.org/ or mail the check payable to Dalit Solidarity and send to P.O. Box 178995, San Diego, CA 92177

Deacon James (Jim) Stahlnecker, ‘Onward and forever upward’