James P. Dixon

James Patrick Dixon, 86 years old, a son of the Bronx and resident of Valley Cottage for more than half a century, passed away on November 22, 2021, at the Tolstoy Foundation Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. At his side as he peacefully slipped from this earth were his son Richard and daughter-in-law Lisa.

Known to all as Jim, he was the second of two boys born in the Bronx on January 1, 1935, to Anne and Patrick Dixon. A first generation American, he held strong ties to his County Wexford, Ireland heritage. He reveled in Irish music and stories of its history.

He was a proud graduate of Samuel Gompers Vocational and Technical High School in the Morrisania area of the Bronx. He joined the US Army in March 1955, serving as a tank crewman until his honorable discharge in 1957 at the rank of Specialist E-3. Although his time in the service was short, it left him with an unshakable commitment to this country and a special love of the American flag. Upon returning home, Jim followed his father to Con Edison where he worked for 43 years first in power generation and then as an electrical mechanic in the company’s Electrical Construction Bureau. He was also a loyal shop steward for the Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2.

Simply put, Jim loved life. Jim was never one to sit around. If you were someone in need, Jim was always the first stand up and offer help. He enjoyed mentoring and working with youth through St. Paul’s CYO, Boy Scout Troop 127 and the Nyack-Valley Cottage Little League. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus John Cardinal McClusky Council 4565 in New City, serving for several years as that organization’s Grand Knight. He was an active parishioner at St. Paul’s and St Anthony’s Roman Catholic churches and devoted to the rights of the unborn.

Family meant everything to him. His family began with the prize of his life, Elly, who he married in 1957 and spent 64 wonderful years with. He was always active helping out his four sons or enjoying time with his family. His zest for living and sharing that joy with others saw him through a serious heart attack on the night of Superstorm Sandy and a courageous twilight struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Jim is survived by his wife Elly; his sons Jim (Cathy), Mike (Mary), Richard (Lisa) and Danny (Kim). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren – Meagan (Steve), Jimmy (Katie), Steven, Lisa, Richard-John, Cassie, Colleen, and Nina and three great grandchildren – Lucus, Olivia, and James Arthur. He was predeceased by his mother, father, brother Edward and sister Anne. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Family will receive friends on Friday, November 26 from 4-8 pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, 10 am, at St. Anthony’s Church, followed by interment at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tolstoy Foundation (https://www.tfrnc.org/donations/) or the Dominican Sisters of Hope (https://ophope.org/legacy/).