Our sincerest condolences

James Goerl

10/11/2014

James Goerl, age 52 of Wayne, died unexpectedly at home on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

Born in Paterson, Jim was raised in Hawthorne and North Haledon and had been a resident of Wayne for the past twenty years. He attended High Mountain School in North Haledon where, in fifth grade, he met the girl that, little did he know, he would someday marry. Her name was Patty Angelicola and she and Jim became good friends their junior year at Manchester Regional High School in Haledon. Their first date was to the movie theater in Fair Lawn. Jim didn’t have his license yet so his parents had to drive them. They saw the movie Foul Play starring Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn and afterwards, they walked to Gino’s for a snack. Jim and Patty soon fell in love and one night while at the park overlooking the Hudson River, Jim asked Patty to be his wife. Afterwards they enjoyed a delicious dinner at Tavern on the Green, followed by a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through the city. They exchanged vows before God, family and friends at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Prospect Park and went on to share many cherished memories together. 

Jim graduated from Seton Hall University in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He immediately went to work in the fire protection systems industry. A true professional, Jim was a dedicated worker and, over the course of many years, he learned every facet of fire protection there was to know. In 2005, he started his own business – Metro Protection Systems, Inc. in New York City where he was currently serving as Owner and President. He was Past-President of the New York chapter of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), and currently a member of the New York Fire Alarm Association (NYFAA), New Jersey Fire Alarm Association (NJFAA), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). 

Outside of work, Jim was a huge Bruce Springsteen fan. He was just seventeen when he and Patty went together to their first Springsteen concert at the Nassau Coliseum. Over the last thirty-five years, he’s been to literally more than 100 of Bruce’s concerts. He loved the Mets and Giants, and he was just at the Giant’s game last week, enjoying watching Eli Manning lead his team in defeat of the Falcons. Jim also played a lot of golf and was a member of the Packanack Lake Golf Club. 

No matter what, Jim’s family always came first. When his two sons, Matt and Nick were younger, Jim enthusiastically coached their soccer, basketball and baseball teams in the Packanack Lake Youth League. He also volunteered as a Cub Scout leader with Pack 104 and in those early years, Jim loved to get out with the boys to go on hikes. As Matt and Nick got older, the three of them spent good times together playing golf. The family also enjoyed many summers at the beach in sunny Ocean City, Maryland and this past August, they enjoyed a beautiful vacation in Ireland. Despite all these pursuits, Jim was just as content to be home with his beloved “Buddy” – his golden retriever who sadly passed away this past June.

Jim could best be described as loving and charismatic. He had a quick wit and was always ready with a joke. Always smiling, he had a great ability to make people laugh and enjoy life. And if you needed something, you could always count on Jim to be there to help. 

Surviving is his beloved wife Patricia; his two dear sons: Matthew and Nicholas; his two dear sisters: Sue and husband Tom Ploch, and Mary Ellen Goerl; his loved father-in-law Anthony Angelicola; brother-in-law Carlo Angelicola and sister-in-law Ann and husband Richard Meyer; nieces: Jessica Meyer and Hannah Ploch; and nephew: Sam Groves. Jim was predeceased by his loving parents: Martin and Joan Goerl; his dear mother-in-law Anna Angelicola; and his nephew Jordan Meyer.

Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 from 4-8 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 at 9:00 AM from the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 17 Pompton Ave, Pompton Lakes NJ 07442, where at 10:00 AM a Funeral Mass will be offered. Interment will follow at Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Jim’s name are asked to consider St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church.