1933 – 2015

AUBURN — James E. McGill, 81, died Thursday, March 5, at the Hospice House. He was a resident of Carthage and formerly of New Jersey.

Born in Paterson, N.J., on Oct. 24, 1933, he was the son of James L. and Catherine (Welsh) McGill. He was a graduate of Clifton High School in Clifton, N.J. He had Bachelor of Science in physical education from Seton Hall University and a master’s in educational administration from Montclair University in Montclair, N.J.

He worked as a physical education teacher in Howell Township, N.J., and served as a private first class in the U.S. Army.

James played basketball and baseball for Seton Hall. He was also a coach and referee in Howell Township and an avid fly-fisherman. He enjoyed his wood carvings of birds and fish.

He was a communicant of the Parish of the Holy Savior, St. Athanasius-St. John Church, a member of the New Jersey Education Association, Red Oak Music Theater in Lakewood, N.J., Webb River Grange and the Carthage Historical Society. He also sang in bluegrass groups in New Jersey and Maine.

James was married in Clifton, N.J., on July 21, 1962, to Joan Kelley, who survives of Carthage. Other survivors include three daughters and their families, Debi and John Wilkinson and their children, Haylie McGill and Drew and Jane Wilkinson, of Williamsburg, Va., Pamela and Kenneth Griffin and their children, Katherine and Kelley Griffin, of Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., and Laura and James Cundiff and their children, James Jr., and Audrey Cundiff, of Thibodaux, La.

Friends and family are invited to sign the online guest book and share memories with the family at www.meaderandson.com.