James T. Atkins

ATKINS–James Thomas. James Thomas Atkins, 75, passed away on July 19, 2025. James, who was published for many years as Jim, was born November 27, 1949 to Donald and Marie McCaffrey Atkins in the Olney neighborhood of Philadelphia and brother to Maria Atkins DiDonna, Donald Jr, George, and Robert Atkins. His youth was spent between Pennsylvania and Ohio, but two constants were his siblings and summers at the Jersey Shore.
As a proud newsman, Jim took care to use his creativity to the fullest extent in his daily delivery of the newspaper. He attended the University of Maryland, College Park, earning a degree in journalism before pursuing a rich career as an editor for the Mainland Journal (Pleasantville, NJ), the Ocean County Times-Observer (Toms River, NJ), and ultimately the Delaware County Daily Times (Media, PA) where he took tremendous pride in authoring editorials and headlines, and overseeing the assignments and layouts of the paper with beloved colleagues. Among his many accomplishments from 1973 to 2014 as a journalist, he was awarded First Prize by the Philadelphia Press Association for his 1992 headline "Separate Czechs" upon the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia into two nations. He was a dedicated believer in the role of journalism to speak truth to power, in the strength of union labor to fight for the worker, and in the imperatives of nonviolence and social justice.
Jim's other great love in life was baseball, specifically the Philadelphia Phillies. He shared his love for the Phillies first with his father and siblings, then with his wife and sons. He boasted that he married a "Phillies Hot Pants Patrol Girl", which upon reflection, is probably why he proposed to Robin in the first place. Upon his retirement from the Delco Times, Jim joined the Phillies in 2015 as a member of gameday staff at Citizens Bank Park. He proudly earned a "golden ticket" for his decade of service time, watching the Phightins rebuild from their lowest of lows into a perennial contender, who, in turn, rewarded Jim's phaithfulness with the opportunity to work a few Red Octobers and the recent World Series. Throughout his life, he formed many great friendships through baseball, most notably his Phillies family. Jim worked over 800 games for the Phillies, whose home record during his tenure included 441 wins and 369 losses. Jim will continue to root for the home team from a much better vantage and venue.
Jim was lovingly dedicated to his wife of 40 years and eternal soulmate, Robin Ely Atkins. Together as Clearview Pioneer parents, Jim cheered the most at swim meets, football games, and many theater and musical performances and events. Jim always treasured the many years they partnered as marching band parents traveling around NJ and PA to shows and competitions. A lover of theater and music, he prodigiously collected Playbills and tickets stubs, especially to his favorite musicians. Jim also loved to travel, spending hours typing up to the minute itineraries and plans.
Jim was proud to serve Christ Episcopal Church in Woodbury, NJ as clerk of the Vestry, usher, and director of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, to which he was deeply committed in his late years. The men's ministry is "committed to the disciplines of prayer, study, and service," for which they practiced the mission of community service and belonging throughout Gloucester County, NJ.
Jim cherished the many friendships he formed in life from school, through his newspaper career, and finally including his Phillies and church families. Jim was lovingly dedicated to his wife, sons, and granddaughters. He is survived by his sister, Maria; brother, Robert; sons, Brian, Michael and Kevin; and his granddaughters, Harley and Quinn.
The Visitation and Requiem Mass will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Christ Church Woodbury, 62 Delaware Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am and the Requiem Mass will begin at 11:00 am.
Those who wish to honor Jim's legacy are encouraged to contribute to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, subscribe to their local newspaper, or support public media with a membership.
Memories & condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.