James Robert McKee, Sr.

James “Jimmy” Robert McKee Sr., beloved son of John Alyoius and Catherine Elizabeth (Haverkorn) McKee, loving husband to Mary Ann Nelson McKee, loving brother, son, and dedicated father and grandfather passed away peacefully on June 21, 2022, at home surrounded by his family. Born and raised in Trenton and a lifelong resident of New Jersey, Jim met his wife Mary Ann on Rosemont Avenue in Trenton. Jim courted Mary Ann while she attended nursing school. They married in 1960 and settled in Ewing for 43 years where they raised six children before moving to their summer home in Seaside Park in 2003. Jim was known foremost for being quick-witted, kind, and sweet to all he came in contact with throughout his life. One of his greatest joys was watching his children, grandchildren and great children grow, succeed and prosper.  Jim was proud of all his children and his legacy continues through them. 

Jim was a graduate of Cathedral Grammar School, Trenton High School, The Pennington School, Trenton Junior College and The College of New Jersey where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Education Degrees. Jim served as an enlisted soldier in the New Jersey Army National Guard for eight years in the Headquarters Battery and Headquarters Detachment, 112th Field Artillery.

Jim was an Industrial Arts and Vocational Education High School Teacher employed by the South Brunswick Township Board of Education. Jim taught various electrical and woodworking trades and was the Head of the Industrial Arts Department and Cooperative Education Teacher. At his retirement dinner, multiple students spoke about Jim’s compassion and willingness to help students, including ensuring that one student had clean clothes to attend school by doing his laundry. Prior to becoming a teacher, Jim was a member of IBEW Local 269. After becoming a teacher, he continued to work each summer in the Local where he was a member for over 70 years. Jim taught electrical apprentices at the Local 269 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers School in Lawrence Township, serving as a journeyman electrician, shop steward, and foreman. He mentored new electricians on his journey, often expressing that teaching was one of his greatest pleasures.

Jim was a former member of Cathedral and Blessed Sacrament Parishes in Trenton and Incarnation Parish in Ewing. He was a parishioner at St. Catherine’s of Siena Church in Seaside Park in the summers from 1961 where he served as an usher.

Jim served as a member of the Ewing Township Board of Education for nine years. He was a member of the Seaside Park Yacht Club and the Knights of Columbus of Ewing. He was a member of the New Jersey and National Education Associations, The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Ancient Order of Hibernians, and former member of the Republican Clubs of Ewing and Seaside Park. He served as a member of Pre-Cana Conferences with his wife, Mary Ann.  Jim was active with the Pennington School Alumni Association serving as Co-chair for the Veterans Memorial at the School, a gift from Alumni and the Class of 1948.

Jim was a great sports fan and loved attending his children’s games. He also especially loved the Notre Dame University football team. He was an exceptional athlete who played quarterback, punter and linebacker for the Trenton High School Catholic Football Team (State Champions), The Pennington School, and the Champion City Deacons of Trenton. He also played on the Trenton Rosatti Basketball Team. Jim was one of the first Pop Warner football coaches in Trenton where he helped host the Northeast Regional Conference against a Connecticut Pop Warner football team. He also led the fundraising campaign for Pop Warner’s team uniforms.

Jim was predeceased by his mother and father and brothers and their spouses, John W. (Elsie) McKee, William Thomas McKee and his sister, Joan (Edward) Hart and his niece Amy Moore. His legacy continues to live on through these children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Theresa (Peter) McKee Sayia of Seaside Park, NJ and Stuart, Florida; the Honorable James (Jennifer Baker) R. McKee Jr. of Cazenovia, New York; John Nelson McKee of Ewing; Catherine (Evert) McKee van Kampen of Sparta, New Jersey; Michael (Stephanie Nix) William McKee of Maplewood, New Jersey; and Christopher (Margaret Cook) Patrick McKee of Manlius, New York. He is survived by his grandchildren, Samantha, Allison, Peter and Fletcher (Danielle); James III (Abby), Anna Katherine, Braedan, and Livia; Caroline (Brandon), Connor, and Isabelle, Michael Jr., Fiona McKee, Ella and Theodore and great grandchildren, Leora, Reese, Annie, and James Peter.  He is also survived by his sisters in law Barbara Schaller and Peggy and John Moore, many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, and great nieces and nephews.

The Family will receive family and friends on Monday, June 27, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals located at 809 Central Avenue, Seaside Park, NJ. 

Mass will be offered on Tuesday on June 28, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Catharine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 50 E’ Street, Seaside Park, NJ. Entombment to follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Toms River, NJ. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting  www.ryanfuneralhome.com and in lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital via www.stjude.org. 

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