JAMES SHERLOCK, 95, passed peacefully into his heavenly reward on Sunday, April 21, 2024. His beautiful Irish eyes and smile will be missed by everyone who knew him. Jim was born to Mary and Henry Sherlock, the 2nd of 14 children, in Monaghan, Ireland. He loved his Ireland and his family. He was educated to grade 8 and then left school to help his family maintain their beautiful farmland.
At 18 years old, his Uncle Owen Sherlock, sponsored him and his cousin, Harry Treanor, to come to America. With $25.00 in his pocket, he and his best friend Harry, set sail to the land of opportunity. They landed in NY and their friendship endured a lifetime.
He went to a dance in New York where he met his feisty wife, Barbara, who was 14 years old (she told him she was 18!). He saw her red hair, heard her infectious laugh, and knew this was the woman for him. He pursued and courted her for 4 years. During that time, he proudly served in the US Army in Germany during the Korean War. When he returned from duty, they were married in 1953. She was 18 and he was 24 years old. They started their life together in the Bronx and Barbara gave birth to their first son, James Patrick. A year later she gave birth to their 2nd son, Kevin Henry. After the birth of Kevin, they moved to Paramus, NJ where their daughter, Barbara Marie, was born. In 1959, they moved to Park Ridge, NJ where their daughter, Colleen Mary, was born. Park Ridge remained their favorite place forever.
After his first job as a dishwasher, he was able to get a job in a print shop in NYC. That is where his career began. He worked in many different shops and newspapers over the years. He became a strong union man for Local 8N and advanced to being Financial Secretary Treasurer. He was later elected as the East Coast Representative for the International Union. Barbara and Jim traveled all over the country for the union and made hundreds of friends on their journey.
Around the age of 40, his son Jimmy, introduced him to the game of Golf and the rest is history. Golf became his passion. During his lifetime of golf, he had 8 holes in one which is an amazing feat! He loved golf and played every chance he got, right up to the age of 95! He instilled the love of golf to his entire family, and nothing brought him more joy than to golf with one of his children or grandchildren. He loved the competition of the sport and made many lifelong friends on the course.
Jim was known for his stories and jokes and his love for a sip of Tullamore Dew! He loved talking with everyone and was so proud of his family. He attracted so many friends over the years because of his love for life.
After his beloved wife passed in October of 2021, he moved to Sunrise Assisted Living in Old Tappan. He brought his joy of life and smile to every resident there and he became loved by all.
The legacy Jim has left to all that know him is to be kind, let things go, don’t judge and just be happy for all the blessings you have. He lived the most amazing life and God honored that life by letting him live so long in good health. He will be missed forever by his family and friends.
Jim (dad, daddy, Seamus, pop pop and forever Shy) is survived by his children, James, Kevin (Dahna), Barbara (Matt) and Colleen (George); 12 Grandchildren, Ryan, Darren, Brieann, Jimmy, Jason, Daniel, Bryan, Michael, Casey, Kevin, Daniel & Thomas. He is also survived by 14 great grandchildren, amazing in-laws and many nieces and nephews whom he adored as his own!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Jude.org
Services will be held at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood NJ on Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Funeral will be at St. Pius Church, 268 Old Tappan Road, Old Tappan NJ on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
We end with his favorite toast: Here’s to it and to it again. When you get to it, do it, for you may never get to it to do it again! We love you dad and thank you for being the best!!
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6