Milton James, Jr.
June 29, 2014
Milton James, Jr., 63, of Lake Ariel died Sunday morning at Commonwealth Hospice at Regional Hospital of Scranton following a brief illness.
Born in Scranton, son of the late Milton and Gwendoline Hopkin James, he was a graduate of Abington Heights, Lackawanna Junior College, and the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, New York, NY. He was a licensed funeral director in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 40 years. He began his professional career with the Davies & Jones Funeral Chapel where he was a partner and he later purchased the James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel where he served as supervisor until his death. He was a member of F. & A.M. Salem Lodge # 330 and Union Lodge # 291.
A man of simple pleasures Milt had few loves in his life other than work. He loved his cottage at Handsome Lake and spending time there. He loved the funeral business and the fact that his sons worked every day with him. But most of all he loved his grandchildren. They provided him with tremendous joy that he proudly exclaimed to whomever would listen.
The family would like to thank Good Shepard Rehabilitation, the staff of Commonwealth Hospice, and Dr. William Dempsey for their compassionate care.
Also, and maybe most importantly, a special thank you to the people of Lake Ariel and its surrounding area for the past 17 years for embracing and loving our family in ways too numerous to mention. We are blessed.
Surviving are sons Christopher and his wife Erin of Jefferson Twp., Brian and his wife Kathleen of Dunmore, and Mark and his wife Brooke of Hawley; sisters Nancy Calderone and her husband Gerald of Pittston Twp. and Judith Hunter and her husband John of Scott Twp.; grandchildren Grace, Claire, Brian, Edward, Patrick, Margaret, Kathleen, Annie, and Nora; his companion Denise Rollison of Lake Ariel; nieces; nephew; numerous friends and colleagues.
The family would like to invite anyone attending the funeral to go directly to the church.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:00am in St. Thomas More Church 105 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel.
Friends may call Wednesday from 4:00-7:00pm in the James Wilson Funeral Home 143 Gravity Rd. Lake Ariel.
Cremation will follow the Mass in the Lake Region Crematory in the James Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Ariel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James J. Haggerty Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Scranton Preparatory School 1000 Wyoming Ave. Scranton, PA 18509.
For directions, to share a memory or leave a condolence please visit www.jameswilsonfuneralhome.com