Jimmy, as he was known by all who loved and knew him, was born and raised in New York City. In the early 1960's, he met Miss Mary Ann Ward, on an outing in Orchard Beach Park. They quickly became inseparable, and married in 1964. After they married, they lived in different areas across the city, and in 1980, bought their home in Copiague. Prior to his retirement, Jimmy had a life-long career in construction as a Glazier.
To his daughter, Dawn, her dad was "her hero". His sons, James and Robert remember their Dad as an "amazing man" - a man who adored his grandchildren, and so devoted to his wife, Mary Ann; who passed in 2010. Jimmy loved to fish, and you could find him either at the Captree Basin on the boats, or down at Tanner Park or the Lindenhurst piers. He stayed lovingly active in his grandchildren's lives. At Walter G. O'Connell - Copiague High School, Jimmy was known as "Poppa Pit", as he was the man responsible for the storage and maintenance of the Marching Band's instruments. He also was a long-time and active member of the Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Copiague; and was a member of the 4th Degree Knights.
Jimmy is predeceased by his beloved wife, Mary Ann; his brothers, Edward Kempsey and John Kempsey; and his sister, Alice Navas. Surviving are his children - James Kempsey and his spouse, Donnie Lassiter of Monticello, Georgia; Robert Gonzalez-Kempsey and his spouse, Miguel of Fairfield, Connecticut; and Dawn Buffolino and her spouse, Antonio. He also leaves his grandchildren - Kevin Michael Buffolino, Ryan Anthony Buffolino, Connor James Buffolino, Alexander James Gonzalez-Kempsey and Aidan Xavier Gonzalez-Kempsey; and his sisters - Joan Navas of Arizona, and Lydia (Paul) Cirrito of New York.
Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 29th, from 2:00 - 4:30 and 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 4th Degree and Knights of Columbus will offer their funeral service, followed by the Catholic Wake Service at 8:00 p.m. officiated by Deacons Phil Mills and Michael Appel. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 30th at 9:45 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption. Entombment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
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