James Francis Larkin Jr.

James “Jim” Larkin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on October 4th, 2026. Jim was a native New Yorker but a Floridian at heart. Born in the Bronx and raised in East Rockaway, he attended and was a very proud and still active member of the class of 1966 Saint Agnes Cathedral High School.

Jim enlisted in the United States Army in 1972 and often recounted how very lucky he was to have served in Germany during this period. In the Army, he was a Human Resources Administrator and was proud to have written the standard operating procedures for the non-commissioned lounges throughout Europe - basically how to buy the beer!

Upon leaving the service, Jim attended Pace University, and in 1974, while minding his own business enjoying a beer at the Mad Hatter bar on 79th Street in Manhattan, he was approached by a striking young woman named Norma Neri. He smoothly asked her, “do you want to play pong,” which was a new electronic game. Thus began a wonderful and loving 50-year relationship during which they raised two strong and intelligent daughters and built a life of laughter and love.

Jim spent his career as a Human Resources Benefits Administrator; working for Macy’s, Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation, and ultimately retiring from Nippon Express Corporation.

In 2009, Jim and Norma moved to Sarasota, Florida, where Jim became involved in many activities; his favorites being golfing, lunching with his buddies, and hanging out with Norma. He was very active with the Church of St. Patrick’s, the Knights of Columbus, and the Our Lady of Charity Assembly. He also volunteered with SHINE, an organization devoted to helping the elderly. He supported various veterans’ organizations such as Tunnels To Towers and Operation Warrior, and his trivia skills were unparalleled.

Jim especially loved his vacations, whether they be to the National Parks, Cape Cod, Gasparilla Island, Italy, or Ireland. His trip to Ireland in 2017 was particularly eventful as it provided an opportunity to further his education as a certified pourer of “the perfect pint of Guinness.” He proudly displayed his certificate on his desk for many years.

Jim was an incredibly intelligent man filled with love for his family, God, and country. After the birth of his second daughter, he wrote his personal mission statement: “With the help of Almighty God, be a positive, loving ‘can do’ person who strives to achieve my potential and inspires others to achieve theirs.” He lived this mission for his entire life.

He leaves this world filled with so many people who loved him for his ready smile, his kindness, and his devotion. Among those are Norma, his wife of 51 years; his daughters Megan and Molly (their partners Kim and Jaeson); his grandchildren, Lily and Connor; and his siblings Patrick, Phil, and Anne (their partners Mary, Patti, and Fred, and their families).

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 19, 2026 at Church of St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL with burial to follow at Sarasota National Cemetery.