James E. Borio Sr.

James E. Borio, Sr., passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024. He was 89. Jim was born in Philadelphia to Mary (Pinto) and John Borio. He is survived by his loving wife, Judith (nee Troeter); children, Mary Borio, James Borio, Jr., Renee Borio (Damian LaRosa) and Eric Borio (Theresa); grandchildren, Kristal Alexander (Thomas), Reanna Doyle (Joseph), Robert Austin, III (Sarah), Jessica Borio, Cameron Hunt, Teresa Narisi (Anthony), Rebekah Silver (Jake), Jimmy Borio, Alden Borio, Dalton Hunt and Kaylia Hytha; great grandchildren, Joey Doyle, Bobby Austin, Connor Doyle, Anthony Narisi, Addy Narisi, Scarlet Austin, Jack Alexander, Aubrey Doyle, Madison Silver, Avery Narisi, Sophia Silver and Levi Hytha.
James E. Borio, Sr was born on May 5, 1935 to a 2nd generation Italian-American Family in Philadelphia, PA. The 5th of 6 children, Jim grew up in the loving embrace of his Father John, Mother Mary, and 4 older and 1 younger siblings. Some of Jim's oldest childhood recollections go back to being a child on the homefront of WW2 and looking up to his 2 brothers and 2 brother-in-laws that served in the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps during the war. Jim graduated from Upper Darby High School in suburban Philadelphia in 1954 and joined a high school friend, Frank Brooker, in attending Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. This was life changing for Jim. He not only was the first of his family to attend college, but it was in Beaver Falls, a western PA steel mill town, where he met his wife, Judith A. Borio. Upon completion of college in 1958, Jim served a 2 year enlistment in the US Army, that included a year in West Germany as part of the Cold War force facing the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact. Judi was with Jim in Germany, and they had the opportunity to tour post-war Europe. After leaving the Army, Jim and Judi returned to Philadelphia and started a family. At first living with Jim's parent's in Drexel Hill, PA and later moving to Glenolden and ultimately buying a home in Warminster, PA in 1965. To the home in Warminster, Jim brought his daughter Mary (1960), son Jimmy (1962), and daughter Renee (1963). Later they added son Eric (1967). Jim and Judi not only raised their children in that home, but also helped raise 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren over the years. Jim spent 59 years in that house and it was in that home that he passed on Dec. 16, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Along the way Jim entered the insurance business as an agent and producer--serving clients needs for nearly 60 years--he never fully retired. He loved the insurance business and enthusiastically went to work everyday--right up to the final weeks of his life. Jim had a gregarious charm that suited a salesman well--he often became friends with his clients. But Jim was not all work, as an avid Tennis player, crossword puzzle offionado, and a lover of classical music, Jim had plenty of advocations to keep him busy. He also had a love for the Jersey shore. He started going to the South Jersey shore with his parents as a child. Upon a drive to Ocean City, NJ with his parents one day, he started a life-time habit of spending a vacation in Ocean City nearly every Summer. While working summer jobs as a busboy and server in Ocean City during college, Jim met a local judge who helped place him as a Summer policeman in Ocean City. Jim was proud of that Summer service in 1957 and recalled it fondly throughout the years. As an adult Jim visited Ocean City so consistently that for years he had a circle of friends with which he played tennis and socialized enthusiastically. Even up to his last visit to Ocean City in recent Summers, Jim fondly recalled the memories of that group of friends and grieved over the loss of so many of them over the years. In addition to the loss of friends, Jim suffered the loss of his parents and siblings over the years, becoming the last survivor in recent years. Loving and looking up to members of the greatest generation as he did, not a day went by that Jim did not miss them--he spoke of them often. James E. as his siblings called him, is now back in their loving embrace.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jim's Life Celebration on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 611 Knowles Ave., Southampton, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 12 Noon. Jim will be laid to rest at St. John Neumann in Chalfont. To send the Borio family condolences, please visit mcgheegivnish.com.