Obituary for James M. Revel
James Michael Revel, a true gentleman of great faith, passed away peacefully at Wellington Estates on April 3, 2020 at the age of 93. He was born and raised in Jersey City. After returning home from proudly serving his country in the US Navy during World War II, Jim met his wife, Helen Finnerty, at a CYO meeting. They married in 1949 and raised their family in Jersey City (JC). Jim was a loving caretaker for his wife, Helen, during the last 10 years of her life at home. In 1999, Jim married his second wife, Elaine Fick, whom he met at St. Mark’s church in Sea Girt. He spent the last 21 years of his life with Elaine in Manasquan.
A very hard worker, Jim was a member of the Jersey City Fire Department for over 25 years, retiring as a captain. He went on to become a member of the Teamsters Union, own a gas station with his brother-in-law, Robert McHugh, and then worked for the state of NJ as a highway inspector. Jim was an extremely active member of his church and community. Throughout his adult life, Jim was an usher at St. Anne's Church, JC, and also at St. Mark's Church. He was a Eucharistic minister, altar server, and organized numerous church bazaars in JC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 5611, Spring Lake, serving several times as a Grand Knight, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels, enjoyed dressing up as Santa each year to visit his children, grandchildren, neighborhood children in JC, and along with fellow JC firefighters, delivered toys to children in need. Jim was a remarkable man.
Jim always liked to have a good time. He loved to cook and entertain throughout the year at home. He and his first wife, Helen, hosted many annual Christmas parties for their extended families at a banquet hall in JC. During his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Elaine’s extended family, and traveling to Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Europe. Together they loved walking the boardwalk in Sea Girt for many years. Jim enjoyed fishing, going to the racetrack, and marching in Belmar's St. Patrick's Day parade with the Knights of Columbus.
Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Helen, his parents James and Lottie Revel, his granddaughter, Carrie, and his sister, Dolores Diab. A devoted and generous family man, James is survived by his loving wife, Elaine. He is also survived by his children, James M. Jr., Ella, Dennis, Maryanne, Jerry, Patrick and Lisa; his step-children, Stephanie, Steve and Martin; his grandchildren Katie, Jay, Jimmy III, Melissa, Matt, Kristen, Marc, Kendal, Chris, Justin, Julianna, Renee and Alexander; great-grandsons Declan, Shane and Nathan; his sisters-in-law Rosemary Finnerty and Patricia DeMild and numerous nieces and nephews.
The burial service for James will be private. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mark's Church, Sea Girt, NJ at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Knights of Columbus Council, 5611 PO Box 51, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 or Meals on Wheels/Interfaith Neighbors, 810 4th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
O'Brien Funeral Home, Wall Township is in charge of the arrangements. To offer condolences please visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com.
A very hard worker, Jim was a member of the Jersey City Fire Department for over 25 years, retiring as a captain. He went on to become a member of the Teamsters Union, own a gas station with his brother-in-law, Robert McHugh, and then worked for the state of NJ as a highway inspector. Jim was an extremely active member of his church and community. Throughout his adult life, Jim was an usher at St. Anne's Church, JC, and also at St. Mark's Church. He was a Eucharistic minister, altar server, and organized numerous church bazaars in JC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 5611, Spring Lake, serving several times as a Grand Knight, and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels, enjoyed dressing up as Santa each year to visit his children, grandchildren, neighborhood children in JC, and along with fellow JC firefighters, delivered toys to children in need. Jim was a remarkable man.
Jim always liked to have a good time. He loved to cook and entertain throughout the year at home. He and his first wife, Helen, hosted many annual Christmas parties for their extended families at a banquet hall in JC. During his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his wife Elaine’s extended family, and traveling to Pennsylvania, Hawaii and Europe. Together they loved walking the boardwalk in Sea Girt for many years. Jim enjoyed fishing, going to the racetrack, and marching in Belmar's St. Patrick's Day parade with the Knights of Columbus.
Jim was predeceased by his first wife, Helen, his parents James and Lottie Revel, his granddaughter, Carrie, and his sister, Dolores Diab. A devoted and generous family man, James is survived by his loving wife, Elaine. He is also survived by his children, James M. Jr., Ella, Dennis, Maryanne, Jerry, Patrick and Lisa; his step-children, Stephanie, Steve and Martin; his grandchildren Katie, Jay, Jimmy III, Melissa, Matt, Kristen, Marc, Kendal, Chris, Justin, Julianna, Renee and Alexander; great-grandsons Declan, Shane and Nathan; his sisters-in-law Rosemary Finnerty and Patricia DeMild and numerous nieces and nephews.
The burial service for James will be private. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mark's Church, Sea Girt, NJ at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Knights of Columbus Council, 5611 PO Box 51, Spring Lake, NJ 07762 or Meals on Wheels/Interfaith Neighbors, 810 4th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
O'Brien Funeral Home, Wall Township is in charge of the arrangements. To offer condolences please visit www.OBrienFuneralHome.com.