James P. McFadden Sr.

James P. McFadden, Sr., age 97, of Wilmington, DE, passed away on August 22, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Catherine and Maurice McFadden of County Donegal, Ireland.
Jim was a proud 1946 graduate of Salesianum School, where he was elected class president for all four years, was class valedictorian, and lettered in basketball, baseball, football, and track. He was the first recipient of the Harter Scholarship to the University of Delaware, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. At Delaware, Jim lettered in football, baseball, and basketball and captained the basketball team. He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army here at home during the Korean War. Jim initially worked for General Electric and then joined the Dupont Company in 1956, where he worked for 34 years managing capital equipment procurement and the regional offices network.
Jim married the love of his life, Nancy (Corcoran), in 1953, and they shared almost 68 years together. He was a devoted husband, incredible and loving Dad to eight children, and a wonderful Pop-Pop. He lived his faith every day and was always there to offer advice and help.
Jim maintained a close association with Salesianum, where he served over the years on the Board of Trustees, as President of the Alumni Association, and as Chairman and Toastmaster of the annual sports banquet. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006 for service to the school and community. Jim was an active member of St. Helena's Church, where he served on the Finance Committee and Parish Council and as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, and he was given the Order of Merit from the Diocese of Wilmington in 2005. Jim also volunteered at Emmanuel Dining Room and for Meals on Wheels. He was an avid runner and ran several marathons, including the Boston Marathon.
In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his loving wife Nancy; daughter Denise; sisters Mary Leies, Margaret McFadden, and Sister Marie Margaret, OSF (Agnes); and brothers Dennis and John. He is survived by his children Karen, Jimmy and his wife Laura, Kevin, Ann Louise Malizia and her husband Don, Maureen, Brian, and Jeanne; his grandchildren Graham McFadden and Lauren, Brian, Dominic, and James Malizia; his sister Sr. Ann McFadden, OSF; brother-in-law Socrates Zaferiou; sisters-in-law Jane Anne and Patricia Corcoran; many nieces and nephews; and the extended McFadden family.
Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 10:30 to 11:45 AM at St. Helena's Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 PM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jim may be made to St. Helena's Church, 602 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809; Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702 (delawarehospice.org); or Salesianum School, 1801 N. Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19802 (salesianum.org).
We would like to thank Dr. David Estock and his staff for their wonderful care and support of our Dad over the years, and the nurses and staff at Delaware Hospice, especially Grace Njoroge and Beverley McCalla, for their kindness to and care of him over the past few months.