James Gilmore

James F. Gilmore Jr. Age 79, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 27, 2008 after a long illness. Jim was a native of Philadelphia, where he graduated from Drexel University. He worked various places, including John McShain Builders, before moving to Delaware in 1967 to work for the DuPont Company, where he retired from in 1992 after 25 years of service. In his "retirement", he attended classes at the University of Delaware's Academy of Lifelong Learning and assisting in his family's Funeral Home Business. Jim and his wife, Cecil, were members of St. John's-Holy Angels Parish, where among his many activities were Lector, CCD teacher, RCIA coordinator, and Liturgy Committee. He also served on the Diocesan Building Committee and in October of 2005 he received the "Order of Merit" from Bishop Saltarelli in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the Diocese of Wilmington. Jim and Cecil were also lifetime members of the "Two by Four" Square Dance Club and the also belonged to several Round Dance Clubs. He also volunteered at St. Matthews Adult Center Bingo and as a mentor at Shue School. Jim will be remembered for his big smile, wonderful stories, and willingness to give his help whenever and wherever it was needed.

Jim was the son of the late James F., Sr., and Alice Smyth Gilmore. He was also preceded in death by his brother John, who passed away as an infant. Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Cecilia (Kelly) Gilmore; children, Denise Gilmore, and her companion, Jim, of North Wilmington, DE, Steve Gilmore, and his wife, Trudy, of Carey, NC, Sharon Jengehino, and her husband, Alan, of Newark, DE, and Jim, III, of Middletown, DE; sister, Eileen Zimmerman, and her husband, Dick, of Newtown Square, PA; brother, Bill Gilmore, and his wife, Pat, of Pittsfield, MA; grandchildren, Jennifer Connolly, and her husband, Gavin, Kelly Urban, and her husband, Rob, Allison Boner, and her husband, James, Meghan Willis, Bryan Gilmore, Eryn Gruber, Caitie Gilmore, and Brennen Gilmore; great grandchildren, Hannah Connolly, Abigail Connolly, and Angelica Boner; and daughter-in-law, Darlene Gilmore, of Wilmington, DE. Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, on Tuesday, April 1, at Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home, 212 E. Justis Street, Newport, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 am, on Wednesday, April 2, at Holy Angels RC Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE, where an additional visitation will begin at 10 am. Burial will be private. Jim's family wishes to thank the Aides from Interim for their dedicated and compassionate care. The family suggests contributions in Jim's memory to either Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810; or to Chablais Fund of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, 2200 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19806.