James J. McCarren III

McCARREN James J. III passed away in his Clifton, NJ home peacefully on Sunday morning, October 14, 2007. Jim was 76 years old and is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Arlene (nee Constantin) McCarren. He leaves five children: Kathy, Peg, Alice, Jeanne and James and nine grandchildren. A younger brother, John J. (Jack) McCarren of Sussex, NJ and an older sister, Marilyn Smith, of Florida, also survive him. James was born in Brooklyn, NY in July 1931. He moved as a boy to Wayne, NJ and grew up on Packanack Lake. He was an athlete all his life, including being an All-State football player for Pompton Lakes High School. He established a Football program at DePaul High School in Wayne, NJ in 1960 and served as their first coach. He also founded a youth football league in Clifton, NJ called the Clifton Colts. An avid Notre Dame fan, he coached all his children, both on the Clifton Western Division Football league and the Clifton Western Division Girl's Softball leagues. Mr. McCarren attended St. Michael's College in Vermont after being discharged from the U.S. Army in 1954. He also attended labor-related courses at the New School of Social Research and the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University. James was initiated into Local 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) in October 1950. In his 44 year career with the Union he served in numerous capacities. Harry Van Arsdale, Jr. appointed him to the Union staff at the young age of 28. He served as Business Representative for the construction division in upper Manhattan for over 10 years during the boom years of the 1970's. He was famous for his wisdom, his quick wit, his sense of fair play, his booming laugh and his wonderful storytelling abilities. Funeral services will be Thursday 9:30 AM from the Bizub-Quinlan Funeral Home, 1313 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton and 10 AM at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church, 797 Valley Road, Clifton. Interment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Upper Montclair. Visiting will be Tuesday from 7-9 PM and Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Please visit www.bizub.com for driving directions and online condolences.