Obituary of James Chapman

Chapman, James Joseph (Big Jim) age 93 of Pompton Plains formerly of Wyckoff died Wednesday, June 19, 2013. Born in and raised Jersey City, he moved to Wyckoff in 1959 where he lived for 51 years. Most recently he moved to Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains. He held a business degree from St. Peters College. Jim was an Air Force veteran, retiring as a Captain who served during WW II where he flew 65 combat missions, including 2 on D-Day. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the U.S. Air Medal and the Silver Star. He was a member of the 394th Bomber Group and attended all their reunions, serving for many years as an officer and Reunion Chair. Before his retirement he was an Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. He was a parishioner of St. Elizabeth's RC Church, Wyckoff, NJ and a past member of the Parish Council. Jim belonged to Activities Unlimited and the Cedar Crest Garden Club. He was a lifelong NY Giants Fan and also a Master bridge player and avid reader. He enjoyed chess, doing jumble and gardening. Surviving are his wife Muriel (nee Messick) Chapman of Pompton Plains, his children, Kathy Schal of Mahwah, Merri and her husband Doug Duchak of Mahwah, Trish and her husband Frank Benevento of Wyckoff and Grace Ann and her husband Tom Cupo of Chattanooga, TN and his step-children, Leslie McPartland, Dr. Clifford Williams and Dr. Thomas Williams. Also surviving are his 20 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his 1st wife, Mary (nee Dineen) Chapman in 1992, a daughter, Jane Donlan in 2012 and a grandson, Shane Donlan in 2011. Visiting Sunday 2-5 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. Funeral Mass Monday 10 am at St. Elizabeth's R.C. Church, 700 Wyckoff Ave. Wyckoff, NJ. Interment Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ. Memorial Contributions to a Charity of your choice or plant something in his memory.