James T. Markey, Sr.

James Thomas Markey, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Born in 1929 in Elizabeth, NJ, to the late Edward and Florence Markey (nee Brennan), he was raised in Cranford. A true patriot, Mr. Markey went on to serve his country in the United States Army during the Korean War from 1953-1957. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he met and married the love of his life, Shirley Arline Schultz, and they started their family in Cranford. They then settled in North Plainfield where they resided for over 50 years. It is there they continued to grow and raise their family. To say Mr. Markey was a hard worker is an understatement. He worked as a tractor trailer driver for Dean Oil and then for UPS until his retirement in 1991. At that point he began a new part-time career at his son’s remodeling company, James T. Markey Home Remodeling in Manville and Bridgewater. Mr. Markey was incredibly handy. Whether it was general construction, plumbing, or painting, he was always hands-on in taking care of his home and helping his family and friends. As a former tractor trailer driver he was also incredibly good at providing directions and was affectionately known as “the human GPS”. He was a dedicated father and grandfather, proudly attending every event and activity his children and grandchildren were involved in. Mr. Markey was the “go to guy” – always personable, open to conversing, and making friends with everyone he met. His good humor and quick wit always lit up the room. His priorities in life were God, country, and family. Mr. Markey and his wife Shirley moved to Point Pleasant Beach in 2019, where they enjoyed sitting in the sun and talking with the neighborhood walkers and delivery people, who went out of their way to stop and chat with them. He was a devoted husband of sixty-five years who adored his beloved wife Shirley. His advice for a happy marriage was to “always hold her hand,” and was doing exactly that at her bedside when Shirley passed away in 2020. After a lifetime of hard work, he appreciated the relaxing beach lifestyle. He spent his downtime doing puzzles, watching the boats come in and out of the Manasquan Inlet, and fishing with his children and grandchildren. Most of all, he enjoyed the quality time spent with his greatest achievement, his family. He is predeceased by his wife Shirley, their cherished infant son Kevin, and his dear siblings Eileen, Edward, Patricia, Florence, Mary Joan, and William. Surviving are his loving children James Markey, Jr. and wife Judith, Patrick Markey and wife Eileen, Robert Markey, Sharon Markey, Shirley Avellino and husband Scott, Keith Markey, Brian Markey and wife Jaime, Joseph Markey and wife Amiee, 19 cherished grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, his sisters-in-law Patricia Markey and Carol Betances, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at The Church of the Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville, NJ. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery Colonia. Memorial contributions may be made in James' memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Office of Development, 9701 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118-2694 Donate Online