James Karika

On Thursday, April 13th, a gentle, loving, wonderful man, James Karika, passed into the arms of Jesus at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Wilmington, NC. Jim was 85 born on April 5th, 1938 to his parents, Edith & James Karika Sr. He was born in the Bronx, NY and moved to Wyandanch, LI, NY at the age of 4. He married the love of his life, Dorothy, who shared the same birthday, on May 7th 1960, they would be married 63 years. Jim & Dottie were the proud parents of 4 children, James Scott (Maria), Robert Neale (Tamara), Edward Arthur (Joanne) & Nancy Ellen (Christopher). He was the adored grandfather of Casey, Shannon, Kevin, Alexandria, Christina, Edward, Sean Karika & James, Victoria, Vincent Lombardi and a future great-grandchild. Jim is also survived by 2 brothers, Paul (Brenda) & Peter (Michele) & sisters-in-law, Rosemary Krug & Eleanor Hooker (Don) & many nieces & nephews, who loved their Uncle Jimmy. He was pre-deceased by his parents, his sister, Dolores, his mother-in-law, Rosemary Daidone & her husband, Gus, his father-in-law, Vincent Schneider, his brothers-in-law, Robert Flickner & Thomas Krug and a niece, Gail Jantzen.
Jim & Dottie lived in Lindenhurst, LI, NY before moving to Coastal Plantation in October of 1995. He was fortunate to retire at 55 after a 38 year career with Grumman Aircraft, now Northrop Grumman & was Treasurer of the Grumman Retirement Club in NC for 7 years. He was a great athlete at Lindy High, playing on the basketball & baseball Varsity teams. He also played shortstop & second base for the Grumman Industrial Softball Team that traveled to various states on the east coast for tournaments. While in Lindenhurst, he coached his boys Little League baseball & basketball teams & his daughter's softball team. Jim was an avid fan of the NY Yankees, Giants & Rangers and became a Carolina Panthers fan. He was a good golfer & a great bowler. Jim & Dot enjoyed many cruises, bus trips & road trips with their children, grandchildren and friends. They were very active in their church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst, where they helped with the St. Vincent de Paul pantry, Pre-Cana for engaged couples & Faith Formation at the school & in their home & the Knights of Columbus. After coming to NC, Jim volunteered at St. Jude's, now All Saints, cleaning the church, counting the collection, ushering & greeting and collecting for the Lamb, a charity of the Knights. At the CAC clubhouse in Coastal, he was affectionately known as the "House Boy", a position he held for over 20 years, making sure all the supplies for the various events were there when needed. He was a President of JAC, ran the JAC Bowling League, took his turns setting up the JAC golf games, headed the Breakfast Team #1, when we had 2 breakfast teams, was a regular caller for Bingo with Dottie at his side & enjoyed played Dominos on Friday nights. Basically, he was always there when needed.
Jim's Memorial Mass is scheduled at All Saints Catholic Church in Hampstead, April 29th at 11:00 AM with our Pastor, Msgr. Joseph Ntuwa presiding with a reception at the CAC Clubhouse following. Jim was loved by so many and will be greatly missed by his CAC family, his All Saints family, the many friends made over the years and especially his wife, children & grandchildren. God bless and thank you all for your prayers, cards, visits, food and support during this heartbreaking time, it is greatly appreciated.
Any donations can be made in Jim's name to the All Saints Building Fund or Lower Cape Fear Hospice.