James J. Phelan Jr.

1929 - 2017

James J. Phelan Jr., (87), formerly of Bryn Mawr, PA and Avalon NJ, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2017 at his home in Naples, FL. Born in Philadelphia, PA on July 14, 1929 to the late James and Gertrude Phelan, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Edith Niedringhaus Phelan. Jim graduated from Malvern Prep where he was president of the student counsel and Valedictorian of his class. He went on to graduate from Temple University and Temple Law School in 5 years instead of the normal 7 years. After graduation from Law School, Jim entered the Air Force and served in the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps at Bossier Base in Louisiana. He was the only legal officer on the base. After his service was complete, Jim returned to Philadelphia and became an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He was also a special Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He later worked at Dechert, Price & Rhoads before starting his own firm Phelan, McClatchy, McMahon and Morley. Two of his most notable cases were his representation of the Gold Star Mothers during the Vietnam War and his representation of Charles Sims Africa who was charged with the murder of Police Officer James Ramp in 1978. Service was very important to Jim. He served as a Vice President of the Philadelphia Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Penn Valley Civic Association, and President of the young Republicans of Lower Merion and Narberth. He served as Judge of Elections and successfully ran his wife Edie’s campaigns for Lower Merion Township Commissioner. His service to others continued into his later years as he delivered meals on wheels until about two months before he passed away. He was a member of the Overbrook Golf Club and the Club at Pelican Bay in Naples, Florida. He and his wife Edie were avid tennis players. One of Jim’s greatest enjoyments in life besides spending time with his fourteen grandchildren on the beach in Avalon, was playing tennis with his “screwball” friends at the Hobson Racquet Club and Overbrook Golf Club. Jim was a devoted husband and father. He rarely missed a sporting event involving his children. He could be heard from the stands yelling “throw them in the weeds” of the opponent. He also coached his sons Lower Merion Little League team to a championship. He was a devout Catholic who supported numerous charities including the Society of St.Vincent de Paul, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Philadelphia Catholic Charities Appeal, and the Missionaries of Charity. He was a member of St. John Vianney Church in Gladwyne, St. Brendan the Navigator in Avalon and St. William Catholic Church in Naples, Florida. He is survived by his beloved children: James, Paul, Mary Frances, John and Kathleen, along with his brothers Albert, Francis and John. He was preceded in death by his brother Thomas and his sister Mary Louise. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday January 21, 2017 at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd., Gladwyne, PA. There will be a Visitation at the Church prior to the Mass from 9 to 11 AM. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, PA. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Mother Teresa Center, 524 West Calle Primera, Suite #1005N, San Ysidro CA 92173. Funeral arrangements by McConaghy Funeral Home, Ardmore. www.mcconaghyfuneralhome.com