James Aslan

In Loving Memory of James Aslan

James Aslan (Haim Arazy) was born on April 29, 1961, and passed away on September 22, 2025, at the age of 64. His life was a testament to strength, determination, intellectual curiosity, and quiet, unwavering resilience.

James was born in Ashkelon, Israel, and was deeply proud of his Romanian heritage. His early years were filled with the spirited joy of playing soccer, clever escapes from homework, and treasured time with his brother Alex and his beloved grandparents, Gamliel and Sultana Eskenazy, whose influence stayed with him throughout his life.

After serving in the artillery brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, James took a leap of faith, moving to the United States with little more than a driver's license and a dream. He washed cars, drove for car services, worked as a dispatcher, and pursued his studies at Hunter College, where he majored in Political Science and Government and studied film. He even appeared in the film Sleepy Heads and worked on the set of I Love You, I Love You Not, memories he loved to recount with humor and wit that never failed to make people laugh. He delighted in recounting his role in disposing of a prop mattress on a Manhattan street, leaving it in front of a well-known landmark he swore to keep nameless. He proudly became a U.S. Citizen on July 1, 2008.

James was well informed about the world. He followed current events closely, read from multiple sources, listened to podcasts of both sides of an issue, and wasn't afraid to hold strong, principled opinions. Whether his views were popular or not, he expressed them with conviction, integrity, and a sharp mind that never dulled.

A true self-made man, James dedicated his life to learning and growth. He taught himself IT skills and spent decades building a distinguished career in software development and team leadership. On his LinkedIn profile, he summed up his philosophy best:

"Over the past 30 years, I've been known as a software developer and team lead-but titles don't tell the whole story. What truly drives me is building high-performing teams, mentoring talent, and helping businesses run smarter. I specialize in spotting untapped potential, creating self-sufficient teams, and designing ultra-efficient processes that unlock growth. My passion lies in helping small and medium businesses scale by optimizing what they already have-people, systems, and workflows."

And he lived by those words. His leadership and team-building skills were felt by everyone who worked with him. Over the years, James held positions at IBM, Verizon, BGC Partners/Cantor Fitzgerald, NBC Universal, Xaxis, and Rugs USA, where he served as Director of Front-End Engineering and later as Lead Front-End Developer. His most recent and perhaps most meaningful professional chapter was co-founding Essex Integrated Services, LLC with his partner, Rosalind Asch-Hobeck-a company that will continue as part of his legacy with his children.

James's thirst for learning was insatiable. He earned multiple professional certifications-Java, Oracle, SCRUM, Digital Marketing-and in the months before his death, he added OSHA Construction Industry certification and the UAS Safety Test (TRUST), eager to learn to fly drones. He learned all he could about AI that he thought was the future of his company. Even as his health declined, his mind and curiosity remained as sharp and vibrant as ever.

But beyond his achievements, James's heart belonged to his family. He met Zarlia Tucker in 1986 and they were married from 1994 to 2016. His greatest pride and joy were his children, Sultan, born in 1999, named in honor of his beloved grandmother, and Lexi, born in 2003. He was a devoted father who made ordinary evenings extraordinary with movie nights, shared meals, and adventurous cooking. He loved experimenting with flavors from around the world and made every dish a small adventure. His profound love and faith in his children and belief that they would have a successful future were unwavering.

James was also a passionate soccer fan, a love that began in childhood and never waned. Liverpool Premier League matches were appointment viewing-he rarely missed a game. His enthusiasm was infectious, and his patient explanations of the rules were a gift to anyone lucky enough to watch beside him. Just two days before his passing, he watched Liverpool win with Rosalind from his hospital bed-a small joy in the midst of a hard journey.

He lived his life with energy and gratitude. Athletic and adventurous, James ran in the New York City Marathon, played basketball, and spent many afternoons kicking around a soccer ball or enjoying long walks. He valued staying in shape and worked out regularly -even doing knuckle push-ups. He traveled on a cruise to Bermuda, to Cape Cod, Maine, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and the Dominican Republic for a destination wedding during his last five years, marveling at the world with the wonder of someone who never took life for granted. He loved playing the guitar and had wide knowledge of music. He knew multiple languages and recently taught himself Arabic.

Those closest to him will remember not only the big moments, but the quiet, everyday ones - the morning and evening messages wishing them a good day and a peaceful night, his sense of humor, his gentle care, and the way he made each person feel truly seen and appreciated through simple words of encouragement and heartfelt gratitude.

Even after his ALS diagnosis in August 2025, James faced the disease with extraordinary courage, grace, and humor. On his final day, he spoke to those who mattered most to him and left this world exactly as he lived in it-on his own terms.

James will be remembered for his kindness, strength, humor, encouragement, and integrity. His life was full and meaningful, and his love reached far and wide. He is survived by his children, Sultan and Lexi; his brother, Alex; and his partner, Rosalind.

His absence will be deeply felt, but his spirit-his laughter, his wisdom, his love-will endure in the lives of all who were lucky enough to know him.

A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 22, 2025, (time to be announced) at the Lehrer-Gibilisco Funeral Home located at 275 West Milton Avenue in Rahway, NJ.