Obituary of James T. Gilhooly

Jim Gilhooly was born in Park Slope, Brooklyn in 1947 and moved to Staten Island at the age of nine. He graduated from St. Peter’s Boys High School in 1964 and attended Brooklyn College until he was drafted into the United States Army, where he served two combat tours in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968. Upon his return home to New York, Jim worked as a taxi driver for a short time before starting a career with the United States Postal Service, from which he retired in 2004. Jim married for the first time in 2012 and he and his wife spent the remainder of their retirement years traveling the world together. An avid reader throughout his life, Jim had a vast knowledge of many topics, and was particularly well-versed in ancient and modern history, world religions and the Bible. He had a deep appreciation for music and enjoyed singing and playing the guitar, especially folk and rock from the 1960s and 70s. On warm summer evenings, and sometimes when it was far too cold, he loved to take his VW convertible for a spin with the top down. His favorite things to do when relaxing at home were watching classic movies and “Law and Order." He was also an expert backgammon player who battled and vanquished many opponents online. Predeceased by his parents Dorothy and James Sr., and brother Thomas, Jim is survived by his wife, Maria; his brother, Robert Gilhooly and sister-in-law, LuAnn Casalaspro Gilhooly; his niece, Dawn Gilhooly Gaghan; his nephew, Rob Gilhooly, Jr; and six grand nieces and nephews. Funeral Service at the Matthew Funeral Home 2508 Victory Blvd on Sunday 11/12/2023 at 8PM. Family and Friends may visit on Saturday, 11/11/2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and Sunday, 11/12/2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Interment will be at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY on Monday 11/13/2023.