Obituary of James Mortimer

James J. Mortimer Jr., husband, father, beloved Poppy, passed away peacefully at home on January 16th, 2020. The son of James and Helen Mortimer, James lived all his life on Staten Island, growing up in West Brighton and later moving to Westerleigh with his wife of 49 years, Kathleen. James graduated from St. Peter's Boys High School and Manhattan College, where he received a Bachelor of Engineering degree. He earned his Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. After college, James was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, earning a bronze star for his service in Vietnam. James was a Vice President at Hill International and also worked for Mobil, Tischman, and Gamble & Associates earlier in his career. He taught engineering as an adjunct professor at NJIT. Prior to his retirement, he was the head engineer for Roosevelt Island. James ran track both in high school and college, and later completed the NYC Marathon multiple times. He was inducted into the St. Peter's Boys High School Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2017 and was on the board of Staten Island Trac. He enjoyed playing golf, traveling the world with family and friends, and spending summers in Long Beach Island. James was a dedicated coach of his children's basketball teams and he continued to coach girls basketball at St. Rita's for many years. In 2007, he was awarded the Staten Island CYO Community Service Award for his years of coaching and service. After the loss of his daughter, Jill, James joined the Survivors After Suicide support group in Staten Island and helped organize the annual Out of the Darkness Walk in Clove Lakes Park to raise awareness and donations for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. James was preceded in death by his father James, his mother Helen, and his daughter Jill. He is survived by his wife Kathleen, his two sons, James and George, daughters-in-law, Marissa and Rebecca, his grandchildren, Veronica, Jake, Milana, August, Dylan, and Keira, his brother Paul, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed. Funeral services will be held at St. Rita's Church on January 21st, 2020 at 10 A.M. with a private cremation afterwards. There will be a viewing at Matthew Funeral Home on January 19th from 2-5 P.M. and January 20th from 2-6 P.M. ReplyForward