James R. Ahern

He was born in Queens, NY, on December 29, 1931, and was the son of the late Maurice and Sheila Ahern and married the love of his life, Laura Novello in 1954, who predeceased him in 2013. Jim was a former resident of Flushing, NY, Hicksville, NY, and Vernon, NJ, before retiring to Lakewood, NJ, in early 2000. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a PFC stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Jim came home after the Armistice was announced and began his service as a New York City Firefighter, ultimately serving the city’s citizens in firehouses in the boroughs of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and The Bronx. After this distinguished career, Jim became an entrepreneur and started his own single-family construction company as carpentry and building were a life-long passion. Jim was also an avid golfer in Lakewood and the Ocean County area. In his retirement he thoroughly enjoyed the links in many of the area’s courses and also served as the President of the Leisure Village Homeowner’s Association Golf Club.

He is survived by his loving children; Debbie Behagg-Ahern, James W. Ahern and his wife Jeannine, Stephen Ahern and his wife Patti, Laurie Ann Baldassare and her husband Joe, and Diane Hudack and her husband Rich. His cherished grandchildren; Jennifer and her wife Katie Eskin, Donald and his wife Morgan, Heather and her husband Ryan Armstrong, Rachel and her husband Jason Burton, Stephen and his wife Samantha, Michelle, Jackson, Kelly, Nicole and Madison; and his great grandchildren; Finley James, Zoe, Ryder, Oakley, Kahleesi and Chase James.

Jim was loved by so many, made fast friends wherever he went, shared a smile and a story for everyone, and was willing to help all in need. His impact on the world, neighborhood, community, and family and friends will be in our hearts forever.

He also traveled high and low to spend time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was often seen in the bleachers and fields cheering on his grandchildren in sporting events and was well known by their friends as “Grandpa”.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8PM at D’Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701. His funeral mass will be at 9:30AM on Monday St. Justin’s Church, 975 Fischer Blvd., Toms River, NJ 08753. Interment will follow in the BG William C Doyle NJ Veterans Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ 08562.