James Henry Leather Obituary

James Henry Leather attended Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City, NJ. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about James Henry Leather.

Graduation Year	Class of 1946
Date of Passing	Aug 11, 2015
About	James H. Leather 87 of Brick, formerly of Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ passed away at home on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 with his family by his side. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey he was the son of George and Sabina (Noon) Leather. He attended Snyder High School and upon graduating in 1946 he enlisted in the USMC where he served until 1975. During this time he was stationed at the following posts; Quantico Va, 2nd Marine Div. in Camp Lejeune NC, San Diego Marine Recruit Depot, 1st Marine Div. in Korea, Marine Barracks in Portsmouth NH, I&I Staff in Huntington NY, Marine Corps Schools in Quantico VA, MAG 32 in Beaufort SC, HQMC Washington in Arlington VA While serving in the Marine Corps he attended the University of Maryland where he studied computer science. Upon his retirement he became Operations Manager of Computer services at Monmouth Medical Center Long Branch from 1966 to 1985 where he took part in the installation of the first real time Hospital Information Systems in NJ which was featured on a "60 Minutes" broadcast. He met his wife Joan (Huebsch) in Snyder H.S. They were married in 1952 weeks before James was deployed to Korea. Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps they fulfilled their dream of settling in Avon by the Sea NJ. It was here that they raised their 4 sons and 3 daughters encouraging them to give of themselves to community service, to advance their education and follow their dreams. Most important was to be honest and God loving American Citizens. While residing in Avon he was a member of the Board of Adjustment, the Belmar Fishing Club and the Ocean Grove Fishing club where he was a member of the board of trustees and served as president. Much of his time at the Ocean Grove Fishing Club was happily dedicated to the Tuesday morning Youth Fishing Program. Since his retirement in 1985 the couple travelled extensively throughout the USA in their customized van, where he enjoyed fishing "where ever I can wet a line". He was most proud of having fished in all 50 states. In 1999 the couple moved to Lions Head South in Brick, where they continued travelling. They hosted a Leather Family reunion every summer for over 50 years. Frequent visits by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the primary joy of his life. James was a member of the Marine Corps Association, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, Garden State Detachment Marine Corps League and the American Littoral Society. James was predeceased by his parents George and Sabina Leather and his grandson Nicholas Leather. He is survived by his wife of 63 years Joan, four sons and 3 daughters in law; George and his wife Linda of Tinton Falls, Joe and his wife Debra of Normandy Beach; William of Forked River; Andrew and his wife Joani of Avon by the Sea, three Daughters and one Son in law: Anita of Lakewood; Patricia and her husband John Gilburn of Manalapan; Barbara of Neptune City; twenty grandchildren and their spouses: Jennifer, Caroline, and Michelle Leather. Christine Paladino; Danny Paladino and his wife Kriss. Patrick, Thomas and Kelly Leather, Kiersten Rice and her husband Loren, Shane Leather, Caitlin and her husband Cody Smith, Meghan and her fiancé Ryan Hirce, Jack, James and Erin Gilburn, Lauren, Stephanie, Michael, James H. III, and Andrew Jr. Leather. 5 great-grandchildren Imagyn, Analise and Zander Paladino; Lucas Rice; and Christopher Leather. James is also survived by two brothers; Peter and his wife Joan of Neptune City and John and his wife Kathleen of Red Bank. Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Thursday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the O'Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Friday, August 14, 2015 at 9:00am at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 424 Lincoln Ave., Avon by the Sea, NJ 07717. Please go directly to the Church on Friday morning as there will not be a procession from the Funeral Home. Private Burial will follow.