NEW CUMBERLAND - James R. Gill, formerly of Forty Fort, recently passed away unexpectedly at his home in New Cumberland.
Born Aug. 6, 1951, in Wilkes-Barre, Jim was the son of the late Dr. John J. and Mollie A. (Crossin) Gill. Moving to Forty Fort, Jim attended the former Holy Name Grade School, former Forty Fort High School, both in Forty Fort, and Wyoming Valley West High School, Plymouth.
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and was a member of the 12th Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Medical Corp, serving in Vietnam. He was the awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Service Star for bravery, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal . Upon receiving an honorable discharge, Jim enrolled at Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J., where he received a bachelor's degree. Moving to Denver, Colo., Jim was employed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), later moving to Hartford, Conn., where he was employed by Aetna Insurance Company. Prior to his retirement, he was employed for over 25 years as a computer analyst by Highmark Health Care Insurance Company in Camp Hill.
A sports enthusiast, Jim was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions football fan. The Pittsburgh Pirates were his favorite baseball team. In basketball season, Jim rooted for the Seton Hall Pirates, especially when playing Villanova University, a school attended by his five brothers. He also enjoyed the music of Bruce Springsteen and the companionship of his many friends. His dry humor and Irish wit will be sadly missed.
Surviving are brothers and sisters, attorney Jack and his wife, Marie, Forty Fort, Margaret Duffy and her husband, Fran, Mercerville, N.J., Dr. Kevin and his wife, Mary Ann, Hollis, N.H., Molly Culbreth and her husband, Derryl, Fayetteville, N.C., Ned, Kingston, Mark, Swoyersville, Tom and his wife, Judy, Louisville, Ky.; 11 nieces and nephews, two grand-nieces, three grand-nephews and many cousins.
Friends and relatives are cordially invited to a visitation with the family 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at the Hugh P. Boyle & Son Funeral Home Inc., 416 Wyoming Ave., Kingston, with a blessing service at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township.
Memorial contributions in Jim's name may be made to the charity of the donor's choice .
The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA) - September 25, 2016