Local Man To Be Remembered In Wyckoff

WYCKOFF, NJ — A service celebrating the life of James McAlevey will be held next week at a Wyckoff church, an obituary published by Vander Plaat Funeral Home said.

James McAlevey, called "Big Guy" by his two sons, is survived by his wife of 57 years, Toni — his high school sweetheart, the obituary said.

McAlevey also has a sister, brother-in-law and two nieces, and the "pride and joy" of his life are his grandchildren. "A shining light in his life," his great granddaughter Isabelle, he enjoyed knowing for three years prior to his passing, the obituary added.

He married into an Italian family, "whom he loved and adored," the obituary said, and there were many friends throughout the years, that the family wished could all be named, "as they are in our hearts always."

He fought until the end and never complained.

"These are the cards I was dealt, and I will do the best I can with them," he would say, the obituary read.

A previous version of this article incorrectly described the work experience of McAlevey.