James William Oleck, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and the “Great Pop-Pop”, died peacefully at home on Thursday morning May 31, 2018. Jim was born on April 10th, 1924 to Phillip and Mary Oleck. He was a native of Jersey City where he spent the early part of his life with his father, brothers, and sister.
Jim’s mother died when he was only six years old, but he had a vivid memory of her and the special role, love and value a mother brings to a family that would guide him his entire life. Jim lived a life of service to God, his family and our country. He was truly part of the “Great Generation”, living through the great depression, serving in the infantry in WWII – being one of ten soldiers in his company in the “Battle of Leyte Gulf” not wounded or killed – and with his wife of 68 years, Lena, raising seven children during the baby-boom era.
Jim had a modest formal education – completing only the ninth grade – but his life experiences, work ethic, intelligence, drive to provide for his family, and “gift of gab” propelled him from a shoe shine boy known as “Blacky” at the age of seven, to the family painting business, to television repair, and finally to Allstate as a top Insurance Agent. Jim worked at Allstate for twenty-plus years before retiring in 1987. Jim and Lena, the center of his life until she passed away in 2010, raised their seven children in Colonia and then North Edison, New Jersey.
Jim was an active member of St. Cecelia’s parish in Iselin for over 65 years, and together with Lena, made God and Faith the center of their family life. Jim was predeceased by his truly beloved wife Lena, his son James Philip, his grandson James Robert, and his grandson Christian. He was also the last surviving member of seven siblings.
Surviving are his nineteen great grandchildren, twenty grandchildren, and his five sons and one daughter, Anthony and Elaine Oleck of Wilmington, DE, John and Sylvia Oleck of Grand Rapids, MI, Joanne (Oleck) and Joe Abatemarco of Colonia, NJ, Michael and Deborah Oleck of Wilmington, DE, Joseph Oleck of Edison, NJ, and Peter and Virginia Oleck of Jackson, NJ. Jim was a dedicated, highly principled, and strong-willed servant his entire life. His optimism, perseverance, sense of humor, ability to tell a great story or joke, unwavering and unconditional love will be truly missed.
Visitation Friday June 1, 2018 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at the Gosselin Funeral Home 660 New Dover Road Edison. Funeral Services Saturday June 2, 2018 at 9:00AM at the funeral home followed by a 10:00AM Mass at St Cecelia RC Church Iselin. Entombment St Gertrude Cemetery, Colonia.
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