James A. Dunn

Jim was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He spent his childhood and youth playing sports, working at a soda fountain, and generally making mischief. He attended Seton Hall University, dropped out and joined the Army, and finished his education at Montclair State University. 

After working for several years as a teacher (and coach) in north Jersey, Jim joined Smith Kline & French Pharmaceuticals. His first job involved selling Love Cosmetics to drugstores in Manhattan. Job training included learning why moisturizing is so important and how to apply eyeliner (I’m not making this up). 

After a few years in Sales, Jim moved to Philadelphia to work in SmithKline’s Corporate Communications department as a writer, PR guy, and jack of all trades. He left SK in 1989 and spent the rest of his career as a freelance speechwriter for corporate executives, at which time he learned the joy of working in your pajamas.

Jim was a natural athlete. As a kid he played baseball; when he was a teacher he coached basketball; he refereed high school wrestling; he enjoyed golf until he didn’t (just got bored). Dozens (possibly hundreds) of kids he coached in youth sports teams and neighborhood pickup games fondly remember him as a fun, knowledgeable mentor. His great sports passion was tennis, at which he excelled. He played singles three times a week until he was in his early 80s, switched to playing doubles, and kept at it. (Shoutout to Rob.) His last game was on the morning of January 24, 2025.

Not just a jock, however, Jim was the embodiment of yin-yang. He loved opera, movies, reading, walking on the Wissahickon, British game shows, theater – especially musicals, and especially Sondheim – Fred Astaire, Roger Federer, Mikhail Baryshnikov (note running theme of grace and perfection). He loved animals and was a doting papa to many cats and three golden retrievers. He loved traveling – to NYC, New England, the UK, Italy, and Paris (nine times).

For several years, Jim was a supernumerary with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, treading the boards at the Academy of Music as a soldier, a waiter, a henchman, and (natch) a spear carrier. He did volunteer stints with MANNA and the Radio Information Center for the Blind.

Jim also loved staying at home and living in Chestnut Hill. He was a regular at Weaver’s Way, at Kilian’s, at McNally’s. He was for many years a Schmitter guy, but had recently shifted his affection to the G.B.S. 

To know Jim was to love him. He was kind, generous, and self-effacing. He was as beautiful inside as he was outside. And he was funny. He was so, so funny. He and Kate made each other laugh. 

As a friend said, Jim touched everyone he met. He was a loving father and grandfather, a fun uncle, and a devoted son-in-law to Kate’s mother, Kitty, who thought the sun rose and set on him. He was a good friend, a good neighbor, and the best husband. The best. 

Among the people who will miss Jim are Kate, Jimmy and Crissy, Jen and Kell, Ryan, Shane, Tyler, Jake, Victoria and Ryan, Ashley, Janet and Jimmy, Paul and Yolanda, John and Jennifer, Terri and Bill, Kevin and Ellen, Emily and Kevin, Molly and Jimmy, Megan and Tom, Bridget, Courtney and Michael, Frank and Julie, Mary, Ann and Ed, Bonnie Rae and Tommy, Charlie, Philadelphia Sandy, Paris Sandy and Philippe, and the tennis gang. And Milly and Flossie. If your name isn’t here, apologies--you know who you are. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jim’s name to Brenda’s Cat Rescue, Suite 45, PMB# 90, 701 Cathedral Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128; Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue, 60 Vera Cruz Road, Reinholds, PA 17569; or the charity of your choice.