James M. Lopez

James M. Lopez passed away on March 19,2023 following a brief illness at Richmond University Medical Center. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Jacqueline McKelvey, his beloved children: Christopher, James (Paige), and Marisa; treasured granddaughter, Charlotte Grace; and his favorite sister, the sister, Sr. Deborah Lopez, ASCJ.

Jim spent his early years growing up in lower Manhattan, at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge. In 1963 he moved with his family to Staten Island. He is a proud graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School, Class of 1967 and LeMoyne College, Class of 1971. Jim worked for Hearst Magazines for 20 years in Editorial Production at Good Housekeeping, he then moved into real estate management, running his own firm for 20 years and most recently worked in Fire Safety and Security services.

Jim enjoyed working on home improvement projects, gardening, old movies, and walking the beach. He was an avid reader, collector of many treasures, and most recently became involved his dream project, the restoration of a vintage 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, that sadly he did not see through its completion. Always involved in his children’s activities as they grew up, he was a presence at countless baseball and basketball games, often traveling with teams in a supervision role, although he would return from those trips having had more fun than the kids. Jim was a keen observer of his environment, often seemed to be deep in thought and at times reserved, but he was also quite charming, had a quick wit and was always looking to make us chuckle with a clever spin on words or a funny story. Finding small ways to know we were loved each day, Jim’s greatest joy was taking care of his family…he challenged us at times, but his support and belief in us was unwavering and he made us better… Our hearts are heavy, but also full of love and gratitude for all that he was and will continue to be to us…