James J. Lorper, Jr., a resident of Narrowsburg since 1976 and Port St. Lucie, Florida passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2022 in Brick, NJ. Jim would say he was 89 years young!
The son of the late James and Ethel Lorper, he was born on March 7, 1933 in Queens, NY.
Jim was a loving husband, a wonderful father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He loved to travel with his family, especially to the National Parks. He introduced his daughters and grandchildren to his love of skiing. He was an avid golfer who mentored his grandchildren and now they love the sport as much as he did. He was instrumental in starting the golf program at Narrowsburg High School.
Jim served as a corporal in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division and served in Germany during the Korean conflict. He was a proud 50 year member of UA Local 524 Pipefitters and Plumbers in Scranton, PA; a member of the Delaware Lodge No. 561 F.A.&M.; member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of Scranton where he was a 32nd Degree Mason; and a member of Irem Shriners in Dallas, PA. Jim served on the Town of Tusten and Sullivan County Planning Boards in the 80’s and early 90’s and was an active member of the community. He was the owner of Cardinal Gas and Narrowsburg Plumbing and Heating Supply.
Jim is pre-deceased by his loving wife Fran, grandson David and brother Allan. He is survived by four daughters Debra-Joy McClave (Owen) of Pompano Beach, FL; Donna Salinas (Roy) of Fredericksburg, VA; Dawn Curreri (Joe) of Narrowsburg, NY and Denise Bickel (Ray) of Brick, NJ; nine grandchildren, Joseph Curreri (Carolyn); Kristopher Wagner (Myka); James Curreri (Brenda); Steven Salinas (Melissa); Lisa Salinas (Jeff Reinier); Kevin McClave (Brittany); Raymond Bickel (Sarah Tenenbaum) and Brian Bickel (Jessica Colineri); eleven great-grandchildren, Hailey, David, Alexis, Isabella, Joseph and Alex Curreri; Sophia and Lilith Salinas; and Kaylie and Kamilla Taraila and Kaiden Wagner and his sisters Carole Ann Gilbert, Janice Elias, brother-in-law Steve Elias along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Jim’s famous words were “I lived a great life with no regrets and had a lot of fun!”
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 14th at the Narrowsburg Union, 7 Erie Avenue, Narrowsburg, NY from 3:00 – 7:00 PM; burial on Friday, April 15th at 10:30 AM at the Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service, 6509 State Route 97, Narrowsburg, NY 12764. Arrangements are by the Harrison Rasmussen Funeral Home, 3412 SR 97, Barryville, NY 12719, 845-557-8010.