James Michael Thelen

Befitting his fondness for the cinema, James (Jim) Thelen of Durham, North Carolina left the stage on November 18, 2021, setting course for his next act. Jim was born in Queens, New York on June 2, 1945, the third of four sons to Bridget Helena (Begley) Thelen and Joseph Francis Thelen. The streets, sidewalks, alleys, and stoops of Middle Village and the playground of Juniper Park outlined the idyllic backdrop for his happy childhood. School always came first in the Thelen home, as neither of his parents had the opportunity to finish high school; abiding his parents’ values, Jim graduated from Resurrection Ascension Catholic Grade School in Rego Park, Regis High School in Manhattan, Iona College in New Rochelle (B.S., 1966), and the University of Notre Dame (M.S., 1968), all with highest academic honors. From Notre Dame, Jim took a teaching position in the mathematics department at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, New York. From there, Jim moved to the mathematics department at S.U.N.Y. Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York, where he stayed (and taught what seemed like half of Rockland County) until his retirement in 2008.

Together in Pearl River, Spring Valley, and Nanuet, New York, Jim and Barbara, his wife of 50 years, navigated careers, raised four children, made countless friends, served their communities, and earned immeasurable respect. The love Jim and Barbara have for each other, and their selfless commitment to loved ones, is the foundation for the many successes they, their children, and their grandchildren continue to harvest. Jim and Barbara have lived in North Carolina since 2015, toasting each evening with two simple, telling words: “to family”. There is no better postscript for Jim than that: “to family”.

Jim’s final scene in this act was more cinéma vérité than he deserved, as he and Barbara lost their son Matthew to colon cancer in December 2020. But Jim’s own graceful exit from the stage was as strong, selfless, and simple as he did his best to live, allowing him some deserved, peaceful time with Matthew in a place where the Mets, Jets, and Notre Dame win overall. As the intermission lights rise in the theatre of his life, his wife Barbara (née Deevy); children Kathleen Diamond, Kristin Edwards, and Michael; grandchildren Lily and Penelope Diamond, Liam, Catie, and Aidan Edwards, and Grace and Bluebelle Thelen; his brothers, sisters- and brothers-in-law, and his nieces and nephews; and his countless friends will rehash the adventures, quote the choicest lines, and wonder what magic Jim will bring to us in his next act. Until those house lights dim again, though, and the while the entr’acte plays, we’ll all do our best to follow his wisest teaching moment: “enjoy the experience”.

The family will privately celebrate Jim during this holiday season but funeral services will be held in the spring of 2022.

Donations in Jim’s memory can be made to The Fisher House (fisherhouse.org) or United Hospice (unitedhospiceinc.org), both causes close to Jim’s heart.

Service arrangements are being handled by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.