James A. Sutherland

James was born in Brooklyn to James A. and Vera E. (Moore) Sutherland on September 20, 1929. He grew up in Brooklyn but spent several years living with his aunt and uncle on their farm in Canada when his father fell ill from injuries sustained in WWI. James' experience on the farm fostered a great love of animals, the outdoors and allowed his ability to fix or build just about anything to flourish, a skill he further honed at the East New York Vocational High School in Brooklyn.

James enlisted in 1951 and served in the US Army during the Korean War, tasked with keeping armored and mobile artillery equipment in working order. In 1955, he joined the New York City Police Department, working as a foot patrolman, a motorcycle officer and a supervisor, before retiring with the rank of Sergeant after 38 years of unblemished service. During his time in the NYPD, he also earned an R.N. degree from Hunter College, planning to work with children in some capacity after retirement.

James was an avid fan of opera and classical music, listening at every opportunity, but he was no stranger to the music of his youth, the big-band era. He was also known to lovingly sing Army marching songs to his kids and grandkids, complete with "salty" language! As a youth James began collecting stamps and coins, and continued to do so for many years, amassing quite a sizeable collection. He enjoyed travel, visiting many places around the world, but always said there was no place like home.

He was predeceased by his wife Rachel (d'Apuzzo) who passed in 1992, and by his second with Ruth (O'Brien) who passed in 2009. James is survived by his children Dawn Hoke (William), Alison Sutherland, James G. Sutherland (Kathleen), Kim Spillett (Daniel), niece Celeste Warren (Cliff) and her son Nicholas, grandchildren Jimi, Ryan, Taylor, Daniel,Cory, Maggie, Quinn, Campbell and great-grandchildren Hayden, Gemma and Brooke.

In lieu of flowers, James asks donations to United Hospice of Rockland. Viewing will be at Higgins Congress, 113 Lake Rd East, Congers NY 10920 on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the hours of 4pm - 7pm. Funeral mass will be held on Monday, February 24 at 11:30am at St. Ann's in Nyack followed by burial at Gethsemane.