James A. Earley

JAMES A. EARLEY, 89, of Whiting, MANCHESTER
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/21/07

JAMES A. EARLEY, 89, of Whiting, MANCHESTER, died Sunday, Feb. 18, at Twin Bridges at Whiting Health Care Center. Mr. Earley was born Oct. 27, 1917, in Tottenville, N.Y. He attended Tottenville High School and lettered in baseball and basketball. He graduated in 1936. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1942, where he attended radio school in Boston and lighter-than-air school in Lakehurst. He flew out of South Weymouth, Mass., Trinidad and Dutch Guiana as a member of U.S. Navy Squadron ZP51. He was honorably discharged as a radioman second class petty officer in October 1945.

He retired from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 1975 with 26 years of service. During his tenure, he was a police officer, supervisor of airport operations and supervisor of heliport operations. After retirement, he delivered Meals on Wheels for Outreach and drove a school bus for Little Egg Harbor Township. He was a member of VFW Post 9503, Bayville, and American Legion Post 502, Whiting. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting, and a member of the church's Holy Name Society. He enjoyed a long association with the Knights of Columbus and was a third degree lifetime member of Our Lady of the Pines Council 9852, Whiting, and a fourth degree member of John D. McMahon Assembly 1926, Toms River.

He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Doris J. Hahn; and his son, Richard Joseph Earley. He is survived by two sons, James F. Earley and his wife Eleanor of Leesburg, Fla., and Dennis P. Earley of Rumson; two grandchildren, Susan of Forked River, Lacey, and James of Ontario, Calif.; and a great-grandson, Michael James of Forked River.

Relatives and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Manchester Memorial Funeral Home, 28 Schoolhouse Road, Whiting. A Funeral Liturgy will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday in the All Saints Chapel of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Whiting. Interment will follow in Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Arneytown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital, Browns Mills, and Keswick Colony of Mercy, Whiting.