Obituary of James H. Hawley

James H. Hawley, 96 years old, of Lynbrook, NY, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2025. His Funeral Mass was held on November 18, 2024 at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre, NY.

James was born on March 30, 1928 to Elizabeth and Henry Hawley of Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. He attended St.Thomas Aquinas Elementary school and graduated with honors receiving a medal for Math. After high school, he joined the Navy, and later attended St. John’s University and Queens College. 

He grew up in the Marine Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. He was an excellent athlete and loved sports. He played third base for the Marine Park Arrows baseball team. He tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field when he was only 14 years old! He also played football but was most accomplished as a boxer. He was trained by Harold Valan, a former boxer, and Global Referee for many World Championship fights. He won the Golden Glove Championship in his division, winning 25 knockouts out of 26 fights and one split decision!

James was very proud of his Irish heritage and loved to gather around the piano with his family singing Irish songs, such as “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and "Danny Boy”. He traced his Irish roots back to the Green Mountain Boys in Vermont, led by Ethan Allen, during the Revolutionary War. He had a special fondness for Vermont and often vacationed there with his parents as a child, and later in Killington, Vermont with his own children.

He was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, having served in the 1940’s as a radioman on the USS Orion Submarine Squadron 6 in Panama. He was skilled in morse code, a vital communication method primarily used by navies during World War II. He loved his country and was very proud to be an American.

James was an extremely hardworking and successful man.  He worked in the retail business for over forty years. He was a Senior Vice President of Operations and Director of Distribution. He was employed by Gimbels, Macy’s, and Fortunoff’s. James also had an entrepreneurial flair for developing other businesses while working full-time. He opened an upscale ice cream parlor in the 1960’s called the Birdcage, which was followed by a painting business, and then a window replacement business during the 1970’s energy crisis. He always tried his best to provide a better life for his children and family. 

James was a dedicated family man all his life, not only to his four children, but also to his parents, in-laws, six grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and extended family on both sides. He was a wonderful father, always there for his family and ready to help when needed. Mostly he was devoted to his wife, Madelaine, whom he called “Mady”. They met on a blind date and were married in 1948. He was a true romantic for 61 years! James always said, “Mady was my best friend and confidant. She gave me complete support in whatever I did, and because of her, I felt I could accomplish anything.”

James was a true gentleman; a kind, loving and honorable man. He had a great smile that portrayed his love of life. He was a man of faith and attended mass daily after Madelaine passed away in 2009. His faith kept him strong. At church, he made wonderful friends with whom he shared many happy times reminiscing over coffee. Together they shared stories, memories, and fun celebrations like birthdays and even a sing-a-long accompanied by the piano! 

We will always remember James for his great love of life and family. He loved telling stories about growing up in his large family, as his mother was the eldest of ten children. He told many captivating stories about his family, growing up in Brooklyn, his time in the Navy, his love for Madelaine, his many nieces and nephews, his friends, his boxing matches, and his business ventures.

He is survived by his children James J. (Alison) Hawley of Babylon, Mary (Sheldon) Turnowski of Baldwin, and Veronica(Paul) Metcalfe of Vermont, by his grandchildren Christina(George-Wilhelm), Laura(Gavin), Kathleen(Sean), Colleen(Scott), Kevin, and Jack, and also by ten great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Madelaine, daughter Jacqueline, parents Henry and Elizabeth, and siblings Mary June and Lawrence. 

James once said he looked forward to joining Madelaine in Heaven where they will spend eternity together. Very fittingly, James was called to eternal life on November 10th, the evening before his 76th wedding anniversary! We know in our hearts that James and his Mady celebrated together in Heaven.

We miss James dearly. He was a very special Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Jimmy, and Jim. We will keep him in our hearts forever; he is irreplaceable to us, and we love him always.