James Karmilovich,Sr.

James Thomas Karmilovich Sr. passed away peacefully at home at the age of 92 on May 20, 2026, with his wife of 72 years, Irene, by his side. James went home to be with his Savior after a long illness.

James, Jim, Pop-Pop, or Pidge, as he was known to his close friends and family, was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to hard-working, immigrant parents. James was part of a large, loving family of twelve brothers and sisters, several of whom preceded him in death. 

James married the love of his life, Irene, and together they built a beautiful family. James worked hard to provide for his wife and children, first by enlisting in the army to serve his country, receiving medals for good conduct and national defense. He then became a skilled plumber and dedicated firefighter; achieving the status of Captain in the Orange, New Jersey fire department. 

An avid sportsman, James was skilled at hunting and fishing andwas happy to share his passion for the outdoors with young people. James built a new home for his family and relocated to Forked River in 1980 to enjoy life on the lake. James was known in the community as a helpful neighbor and friend.

James is survived by his devoted wife, Irene, and his six children: Kriste, Kathleen, Karol, Maureen, Mary Ann, and James Jr, along with their beloved spouses. James was blessed with twelve grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. 

A devout, lifelong Catholic, James was a member of Saint Pius the Tenth parish in Forked River, New Jersey.  A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, followed by a reception for family and friends. 

The family would like to thank Layton’s Home for Funerals for their service and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lacey Township Emergency Medical Services, who provided outstanding care to James and service to his family during his illness. Donations are accepted via check or money order made payable to Lacey Township EMS/First Aid and mailed to the address below:

Lacey Township EMS/First Aid

P.O. Box 289

Forked River, NJ 08731

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