James O'Halloran

James O’Halloran, of Westfield, N.J. passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, March 2, 2018. He was 64.

Jim was born and raised in Bayonne, N.J. and graduated from St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City in 1971. He then attended Rutgers University where he was a Henry Rutgers Scholar and graduated in 1975, Phi Beta Kappa. Jim graduated from Rutgers University School of Law in 1978 and worked as an attorney in government, private practice and industry.  Jim found his true calling, however, as a teacher. After teaching at Hilltop Country Day School in Sparta and the Peck School in Morristown, Jim spent the last ten years at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison where he was a member of the History Department, served as the Dean of Students and Director of Global Learning and ran the summer school program. While at Wardlaw, Jim developed a keen interest in the history and culture of China and traveled several times to China both as a mentor for Wardlaw students and as a member of a cultural exchange group. Jim was also on the faculty of the Governor’s School for Public Issues.

An accomplished pianist, Jim was a lover of music, especially opera, a voracious reader and a wonderful cook.  A lifelong Democrat, he was also an avid follower of politics. Jim delighted in traveling, especially with his Wardlaw students to China, Machu Picchu and Spain, but also enjoyed his time on Long Beach Island at the O’Halloran family home.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, James and Geraldine O’Halloran. He is survived by his children, Julia and Daniel, his sisters Geri Livengood (Ford) and Sheilah (Paul Eilbacher), his brother John (Maureen), his nieces Rebecca Livengood (Nate Wenstrup), Jane Eilbacher (Scott Wetzel) and Annie O’Halloran, his nephews Jim Livengood (Sara Okin) and Michael Eilbacher, and his great-niece Wink Wenstrup. He is also survived by his aunts Vera Gallagher and Maureen O’Halloran as well as scores of O’Halloran cousins.

Family and friends may visit on Friday, March 9, 2018, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Higgins & Bonner Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Avenue, Westfield, NJ. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 414 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ followed by a burial in the Garth at St. Paul’s. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Wardlaw-Hartridge School, 1295 Inman Avenue, Edison, New Jersey 08820.

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