James Patrick Philbin Jr.

PHILBIN-James Patrick, Jr., of East Northport and Port Jefferson, died Monday, September 25, 2006 of Parkinson's Disease. Jim was born in Manhattan on September 11, 1928, the eldest child of Ann Elizabeth nee Farrell and James Patrick Philbin. He was raised in Astoria, attended Immaculate Conception Elementary School and Bishop Loughlin High School. Jim received academic and basketball scholarships to Manhattan College where he studied electrical engineering and received his Masters Degree from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. On September 22, 1951, Jim married his teenage sweetheart, Mary Theresa Conlon. In 1956 they settled in East Northport and raised six children, educating them at St. Anthony of Padua parish, where Jim served in the Holy Name Society, taught CCD and was President of the first Parish Council. He was deeply involved coaching in children's sports and supporting his chldren in their activities. Throughout his life Jim was an avid sports enthusiast, moving from his beloved basketball to a lifelong love of golf. The family was struck by tragedy in October 1973 when Jim and Mary's son, Thomas John, was accidentally killed. The love of his other children and eventually of his fifteen grandchildren brought joy again to his life. Jim spent his career at Airborne Instruments Laboratories, which became part of Cutler Hammer Corporation and later Eaton Industries. He started as an electrical engineer, became a manager, and then was President of Ailtech, Inc., a division of the corporation that developed microwave instrumentation for industry. Jim was a deeply devoted family man, businessman, friend and neighbor, known for his optimism, kindness, generosity, gentleness, and easy smile and laughter. Even as Parkinson's Disease slowly took his abilities, his beautiful spirit remained intact until the end. He was predeceased by his dear wife, Mary and survived by his children, Mary Ellen Summerville, Patricia A. Pontius, James P. Philbin III, Kevin J. Philbin, and David A. Philbin,, his son-in-law and daughters-in-law, his 15 beloved grandchildren, and his sisters., Jean and Mary, brother, Terry, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, Visitation will be Wednesday, September 27th from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Martin A. Gleason Funeral Home, 149-20 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, New York. Mass Of Christian Burial Thursday, September 28th 11:00 a.m, St. Lawrence the Martyr Church, 27 Handsome Place, Sayville, New York. Interment to follow at St. Charles Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be sent to Ozanam Hall Nursing Home 42-41 201st St. Bayside, NY, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. To sign an online register book please visit wwww.westchesterfuneralhome.com