Tuesday, August 27, 2024
My deepest sympathy to his son Ryan, brother Ronnie and his family, his close cousin Nancy and her family, and his nieces, Kelsey, and Kristie (Brother Billy daughters). I would like to thank Paul Farrelly and Richard Aquino for all the support they gave to Jimmy during his lengthy battle.
Jimmy and I became friends in Washington School, I witnessed the West Orange Police pick up him while we were playing football in front the school, due to his father passing. He loved the Ginny Dunkel pool “always asking if the pool badges were in yet., he did a great “can opener” off the high dive! Big Sports fan Rangers, Jets, Mets, he introduced me to frozen Tree Tavern Pizza, He was very athletic, extremely competitive! Great bowler. He was smart. He was vain, always looking in the mirror to check out his hair. He had a great way of making up nicknames for people, for example the people who operate the store across from 29 Ridge Ave, “Cornflake Dave & Cavewoman Marge”.
In Edison Junior high he had surgery on hip and eventually both. This hindered him from participating in sports. Jimmy showed me how to caddy at Crestmont Golf course. We played High Noon Basketball, Night League, PAL Hudson Tool and Die. Men softball. Sleigh riding in Colgate. We were very close friends throughout the years. We both got married, I moved to Manasquan “Life Got in the Way.” My oldest son worked for Peerless Beverage Co and got meet Jimmy by coincidence while he was bartending at the Franklin Tavern. In 2019 we reconnected with Jimmy and spoke weekly and daily catching up on life and reminiscing of our lives in West Orange. My wife and Jimmy would discuss golf, he went out of his way sent her 2023 U.S. Women’s Open hat, (First Time women were allowed to golf on the course), she cherishes it.
Peace Be with You My Friend
Gary & Augusta Fittin
Manasquan, NJ
