Jim Lowney, for many years both a columnist and reporter for the Irish Echo, has died.
Lowney, who lived in New Jersey, was 85. He passed away peacefully at home on March 25.
Jim (James F.) was born on May 31, 1940, in Elizabeth and raised in Hillside by his parents Patrick J. Lowney, a native of Castletownbere, County Cork, and Elizabeth Lamont Lowney, a native of Coleraine, County Derry.
According to his obituary, Jim attended St. Catherine Grade School and graduated from Hillside High School in 1958. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication.
Continued the obituary: "Jim was an enthusiastic journalist from an early age. As a boy, he contributed accident and fire photos to the former Hillside Times. He later joined the former Newark Evening News and became a staff photographer.
"He photographed many public figures including capturing an iconic image of President John F. Kennedy clasping a little girl’s hand at Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod in 1962. His camera also recorded images of such notable people as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., President Richard Nixon, Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, Senator Edward T. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg and actress Maureen O’Hara.
"During his time at the News, he served as the public information specialist for the 170th Support Squadron of the New Jersey Air National Guard at Newark Liberty International Airport and McGuire Air Force Base.
"Like a number of other young Irish Americans, Jim met his future wife, Mary Kearney, of Barroe, Carracastle, County Mayo in Newark’s McGovern’s Tavern.
"After the News closed in 1972, he joined the editorial staff of the Asbury Park Press as education editor and staff writer.
"Leaving the newspaper world, Jim had a rewarding career in public relations. He served as a corporate magazine editor at the former Allied Signal Corp., Morris Township. He then became the public information manager for Jersey Central Power & Light Company in Asbury Park.
"He retired as community relations manager from the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Lacey Township.In his final public relations role, Jim was the public information officer for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School.
"He served as president of the Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association and the New Jersey School Public Relations Association.
"In 2014, Jim published a memoir, 'A Few Believed in Me: A Newsman’s Adventure.'
"Jim was active in the New Jersey Irish community. For more than 30 years, he was the New Jersey correspondent for the New York-based Irish Echo and the Irish Edition, Philadelphia.
"He served as the publicity chairman for the Newark and Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parades and the New Jersey Irish Festival. He was a charter member of the Rev. William J. Clifford Ocean County Division 1 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Toms River. He was also a member of the Frank J. McGovern Association, the John J. Giblin Association, the Joseph Nugent Sr. Association and the Hillside Historical Society.
"He was honored by the Independent Irish Society, Giblin Association and the Peter J. Smith Association. Jim served as Grand Marshal of the Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2008. He was also an honorary member of the New Jersey Retired Policemen and Firemen Association.
"Jim was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage and enjoyed countless trips to the Emerald Isle during his lifetime. A fan of traditional Irish ballads, he was known to break into song at a moment’s notice.
"He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of the city of Newark. He loved police officers and firefighters and had slews of friends from both professions. Jim was genuinely interested in people and learning their story - a true journalist. Forever championing the underdog, he would often repeat the simple advice his mother gave him, 'always help.'
"Jim deeply loved his family and his passing is a reminder of the importance of cherishing our loved ones in life. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Patrick J. Jr., and sister, Elizabeth Conlon.
"He is survived by his wife, Mary (nee Kearney), three sons and a daughter; James and his wife Jennifer, of Brant Beach, Patrick and his wife Lindy, of East Greenwich RI, Sean of Toms River, and daughter Maureen, of Rumson, as well as nephew Patrick Conlon of Neponsit, NY. He also leaves beloved grandchildren, Mateo, Beck, Welles, Hayes, and step-grandchildren, Matthew and his wife Stephanie, and Timothy, along with sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews in Ireland and England.
"The family received relatives and friends on Monday, March 30 at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Tuesday, March 31, at 11:15 a.m. at St. Joseph RC Church, Toms River. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Toms River. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.
