James Vincent Klika

James V. Klika, 76, of Lambertville, NJ, died on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Penn Medicine/Princeton Health in Plainsboro, NJ.
Jim was born in Newark and raised in Bloomfield, NJ. He was proud of his North Jersey roots. He said it made him tough and taught him how to speak frankly. In school he was known as the class clown, always trying to make everyone laugh. Jim graduated from Bloomfield High School, class of 1964. He was a gifted artist and went on to attend the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts, where he majored in Graphic Design. After art school, Jim served in the US Navy, during the Vietnam era. He married and had two daughters, with whom he had a special relationship. He shared his love of movies, music and watching sports games with his youngest. He shared sketching and playing basketball with his oldest. Jim will be remembered as a father and individual with a strong sense of what's right and an unwavering spirit.
Jim was employed as a print estimator. During his career he created and completed many successful advertising campaigns. He last worked at Phoenix Lithographing Corp. in Philadelphia. Jim settled in Lambertville, where he resided for almost 30 years. He adored Lambertville over any place else for its beauty and small town feel. It always held a dear place in his heart. Throughout his life, Jim was a very talented basketball player, always playing pickup games wherever he could. This earned him nicknames like "King of the Courts" and "Bird". He had a deep affinity for the Jersey shore. He never missed a year vacationing with his family on LBI and in the summertime he would frequently make day trips to Belmar on the weekend. He adored his grandkids. More than anything he loved making everyone around him laugh!
Jim was the grandfather of the late Samuel Berkley and the son of the late Vincent J. and Frances Cecere Klika. He is survived by his daughters Amoreena Berkley and Briana Klika; his grandchildren Josiah, Daniel, Timothy, Benaiah and Anna Berkley; his sisters Yvonne Victor and her husband Brent, Denise Klika, Michele "Shelley" Testa and her husband Robert and Frani Klika; two nieces Nicole and Christina; two nephews Braden and Michael; his former wife Carolyn LaCrosse and her husband Don, best friend Nancy Denton and many more friends and associates.
The funeral mass will be offered on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 10:30 am at St. John the Evangelist Church, 44 Bridge Street, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Lambertville, NJ.
There will be visitation on Tuesday morning from 9:00 am until 10:00 am at the Van Horn-McDonough Funeral Home, 21 York Street, Lambertville, Nj 08530.