Obituary of James Michael Ledwith

James M. Ledwith

Love of family, deep devotion to his Catholic faith and years filled with music & reading seems to be a recipe for a life well lived.

James M. Ledwith, 91 of Belle Mead, NJ, formerly Pompton Lakes, NJ, passed away peacefully on May 15th.

Son of Margaret (McGovern) and John Henry Ledwith (WWI) and brother to his sister and life long friend Margaret “ Peggy” Staudt and raised also by his deeply loved and respected Aunt, Katherine “Kit” McGovern, Jim was born at home in Queens Village, NY where he spent a childhood filled with a large extended family of Aunts, Uncles & Cousins. An exceptional communicator of oral history and the stories of his life – Jim’s childhood was a happy one directed by strong & loving parents and extended family who gathered to enjoy Irish traditions of storytelling, large meals and singing around the piano. From these early years, Jim gained a dedication to the importance of his family. Stickball in the street with his friends, summers playing baseball on the beach in Point Lookout, NY all added to a happy young life. It was also from his family foundation that he gained the gift of his strong devotion to his Catholic faith. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Queens, NY and Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Point Lookout, NY where he served as an Altar Boy. He attended Bayside High School in Queens, NY where he was a stand out baseball player.

Attending University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he studied History, was a highlight of Jim’s life and he remained connected to the University throughout all his years. His education was put on hold as he enlisted in the US Navy during WWII. Serving in the Pacific Theater, Jim was a navigator in the Submarine division.

Returning home and then to Notre Dame after the war, Jim credited the University with expanding his faith and understanding in the teachings of the Catholic Church and exposing him to a superior education. An exceptional dancer of traditional 40’s style, Jim also enjoyed the social activities between Notre Dame and St. Mary’s College. It was the link with Saint Mary’s that brought the most extraordinary aspect into his life when he met his beautiful, fun and loving wife, Marjorie Geoghegan, two weeks before graduation.

Returning East and on to Washington, DC, Jim began training with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Assigned to the Crime and then Espionage Units, Jim’s career as an Agent with the Bureau placed him in the LA, Chicago and NY offices. Jim’s career also included decades in education publications working for Scholastic, Inc.

His initial trip to Washington, DC for the FBI brought him back in touch with his future wife, who had moved there for her own career and whose phone number he had always kept on a slip of paper in his wallet. From this time forward their extraordinarily dedicated life together began and continued for over 62 years of marriage.

Briefly predeceased by his loving wife Marge, Jim is survived by his five children Mary, Katherine, John, Thomas and Therese and their spouses Stephen Benson, Lisa Glick, Helen Logan & Andrew Fay and six grandchildren – Eli & David Ledwith, Owen & Bridget Fay, Marjorie & Charlie Benson. Each of his many nieces and nephews gave him enormous pleasure & love in his life. He loved his sister’s children (Staudt) as he did his own and cherished the fact that they were a constant part of the happiness in his life.

Jim and his wife Marge raised their large family in Chicago, NYC, Pompton Plains and eventually settled for over 50 years in Pompton Lakes, NJ in a welcoming home environment of love, faith & music. It was from on the front porch or in front of a warm fire at their home on Lincoln Avenue, that they welcomed all. He could be counted on to transform a simple weekend into a fun time with music - from classical to big band jazz, watching Yankee games and most of all great conversation driven by his natural intellectual curiosity and desire to learn more about and relate to everyone he met. Jim also enriched his life with a strong pursuit of knowledge through reading. Dedicated to his family – he valued each of his children individually and was very committed to infusing in them a love of God and family and a pursuit of an education.

As a member of the Roman Catholic Community St Mary’s Pompton Lakes for over 55 years, Jim volunteered as a Lecturer. He was a leader with the Home School Association at St. Mary’s Grammar School and a variety of activities at DePaul High School in Wayne, NJ.

Of the many aspects of Jim’s life it was his love of his family and his gratitude for his faith that will be remembered most of all.

The family welcomes you to services to celebrate his life. Visiting on Friday, May 22, 2015 from 3-5 & & 7-9 PM at Moore’s Home for Funerals, 1591 Alps Road Wayne, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, May 23, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church 25 Pompton Avenue, Pompton Lakes, NJ.

Contributions can be made in his name to the University of Notre Dame, 1100 Grace Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556.