Obituary of James T. McGeehin

James T. "Jim" McGeehin, of Glen Mills, PA, passed away on October 13, 2023. Always with a flair for the dramatic, it was unsurprising that Jim chose Friday the 13th for his exit. He was 91 years old and claimed to be the "oldest McGeehin" in recorded history.

Jim was born and raised in Hazleton, PA, by his parents, Andrew and Edith Snyder McGeehin. He had four siblings, Robert, Andrew, and John McGeehin, and Rosemary Moye. His siblings preceded him in death and are no doubt eager to continue teasing their baby brother "Jimmy" in the afterlife.

He and his wife of 64 years, Mary Jo Gallagher McGeehin, raised four children in Springfield, PA, and Sea Isle City, NJ, before retiring to Fox Hill Farm in Glen Mills, PA.

Jim and Mary Jo enjoyed golfing, which they took up in the 1980s. They bought second homes on golf courses in Pinehurst, NC, and then Venice, FL, where they enjoyed hosting their kids and grandkids.

In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his four children: Melanne Caverly, James T. (Adela) McGeehin Jr., Rosemary McGeehin, and Kathleen (Mark) Reilly. All cherish fond memories and boxes of his handwritten letters in which he dispensed his advice/pearls of wisdom, whether you asked for it or not. Jim was "Poppa" to seven grandchildren: James T. McGeehin III, Matthew McGeehin, Kathleen (Steve) Strunk, Claire Caverly, Andrew Caverly, Sophie Reilly, and Lila Reilly, and two great-grandchildren, Rhys and Rory Strunk.

Jim attended Kings College in Wilkes Barre, PA, on a scholarship, which he claimed was awarded based on his prowess on the basketball court. This was never verified, although he schooled his kids more than once in games of "HORSE" in the driveway. He obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Finance in 1954, and after service in the US Army, would go on to work as a Vice President, and then Division President, for Litton Industries for 34 years. During this time, Jim traveled the world and was fond of describing his job as "Corporate Seagull," without further explanation. Upon retirement, he volunteered on several Boards of Directors.

Jim was a jovial guy and made friends wherever he went. His enemies were few and far between, but his ability to hold a grudge was legendary. Comcast reportedly banned him for life after receiving countless handwritten complaint letters from Jim. There also was a newspaper deliveryman who may have been the target of a car chase. And none of his family will ever forget his (one-sided) feud with the air conditioner at the shore house in Sea Isle City.

Jim was a devout Catholic and was known to attend daily mass during Lent throughout the course of his life. Some say his devotion was penance for an accidental arson he committed at the Holy Cross Church in the 1970s, but we will never know for sure.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, from 10-11 AM at St. Cornelius Catholic Church, 160 Ridge Rd. Chadds Ford, PA 19317, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM, and then Interment at Media Cemetery, Media, PA.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Jim's name to St. Jude Hospital for Children. Online Condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com