James Fagan

1944 - 2017

James Fagan

LAGRANGEVILLE - James Fagan, 72, an area resident since 1997 and formerly of Suffern and Manhattan, died on January 19, 2017 at his home following a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Jim was a dynamic man and a true leader who was larger than life. When he walked into a room, you could just feel his presence.

Born in Windber, PA on December 25, 1944, he was the son of John "Jack" and Margaret (Harris) Fagan. Jim was awarded a football scholarship to play Division 1 Football at West Virginia University and graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts. He joined the US Army after graduating and served in Korea. Following his return, he worked on his Masters in Fine Arts at WVU. He served as the President of WVU Alumni Association and in 2010, he was inducted into the Order of Vandalia, WVU's highest honor.

Jim had an exciting career working as a leading professional voiceover actor, doing hundreds of commercials for companies such as Geico, Alka Seltzer, Kimberly Clark and Chrysler, and in sports production. In 1989, he became the voice of NBC Sports promotions, doing voiceovers for the NFL, and the Olympics in Barcelona and Atlanta, and at Wimbledon. He also did voiceovers for the NBA on NBC Sports, the Mountaineer Sports Network, and MetroNews Radio Network. He served as the announcer in 2010 for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He hosted NBA Action on ESPN from 1990-2004. He was currently the owner and operator of Jim Jam Associates, Inc. He was a member and past president of the LaGrange Rotary Club, and was instrumental in the construction of the 9/11 Memorial at Stringham Park Memorial Plaza.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jamie (Dina) who survives at home; his daughters, Risa Koonin and her husband, Keith of Pleasant Valley, and Jana Joyce of Montclair, NJ; and his grandchildren, Zachary and Spencer Koonin, and Maya and Aidan Joyce.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 11am to 1pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. A celebration of Jim's life will be at 1pm.

Memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to West Virginia University Alumni Association, PO Box 4269, Morgantown, WV 26504. Please visit Jim's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.