Jim Worthington

Jim Worthington, 59, of Montvale, New Jersey lost his courageous battle with leukemia on Saturday October 16th, 2021. He was the cherished husband of 30 years to Daniela and a devoted father to Ryan, Ashley and her husband Kevin, and Michael. He also leaves behind his siblings including his sisters Cathy Finck, Nancy Sayers, and Pat Worthington all of Georgia as well as brother John Worthington of Denville, New Jersey. He also leaves behind many extended family members too numerous to mention.

Jim was born in 1962 to Walter and Elaine Worthington of Montvale, New Jersey where he lived and grew up, attending Montvale schools and graduating from Pascack Hills High School and later Wilkes College. An avid wrestling fan, Jim was captain of the Cowboys wrestling team in 1979-1980 and was a member of the Team of the Century in his 1976-1977 freshman year. He was instrumental in starting the WLM junior recreational program.

Jim was a talented technology executive, working for more than 30 years in the financial district. He seamlessly navigated the difficulties associated with over 20 years of disruptive change in the financial industry. He was talented, respected, and loved by all his colleagues. Jim was a survivor of 9/11 and was directly under the Twin Towers on his way to work that tragic day. True to form, he picked himself up and continued the commute afterwards; always thinking of his family, friends, and team members. When diagnosed with leukemia in February of 2021, Jim was steadfastly positive, loving, and supportive to all those he loved while waging his courageous battle with cancer.

He was an excellent planner and loved to detail every aspect whether it was a simple chair or a more complex effort. Before his passing, Jim fulfilled the dream of remodeling his home based on his own drawings with a tape measure in hand and smile on his face.

Jim loved spending time with his family, particularly on family vacations to Bridgton, Maine and Ocean City, New Jersey. He was the grill master, life of the party, and “King of the Raft”. He was a family man first and foremost – loving them, guiding them, and supporting them above all. His love of life was infectious, and his constant smile and personality led him to many friendships

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Please share your memories of Jim on the tribute wall.

The family will have visitation of family and friends on Thursday October 21, 2021, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be on Friday October 22, 2021, at 10:00am at Church of the Presentation, 271 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd. Paramus, NJ.

As an expression of sympathy, Memorial contributions in Jim’s name may be made to the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association https://www.pwsausa.org/get-involved/donate/

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