James Joseph Kreitler passed away peacefully June 28,2022 at the age of 90.  Born February 12, 1932, in Woodside Queens to Mary Elizabeth and Frank Kreitler, he attended Lasalle Academy in Manhattan, graduating in 1949. Jim was a talented hockey player, having had the chance to play in the old Madison Square Garden.

Upon returning from service in the Korean War in 1954, he married Kathleen Marie Brandon. As their family grew, they moved to Valley Stream, Long Island, and later to Aberdeen, New Jersey, where they raised their five children. In retirement, Jim and Kathleen lived in Wall, New Jersey.  

Jim was a proud member of the International Printing Pressman's Union for more than 40 years. He retired from the NY Times pressroom in 1994.

Warm, open, and lacking even a hint of selfishness, Jim made friends easily, and was the unfailingly kind and dependable pillar of his close-knit family. Jim loved swimming in the ocean, walking on the boardwalk, playing golf, spending time with his grandchildren, and watching his beloved Mets.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, and sister Jean Coen.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Kathleen, brother Frank Kreitler, children Barbara Ziegler & husband Joe, Jim Kreitler & wife Mary, Beth Tonkovich & husband Joe, Carol Kuhn & husband Neil, Kathi Rowohlt & husband Bill, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 9:00am in St. Dominic’s RC Church, 250 Old Squan Rd., Brick, NJ. Interment will be at 1:30pm in the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd., Wrightstown, NJ 08562.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital by mail at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of James or by clicking HERE.

To offer condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com