James Rushforth

James Rushforth, 83, of Lynbrook, NY, passed away on August 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Jim faced life with a quiet, steadfast independence, a spirit forged in childhood when he contracted polio, which left him with lasting physical challenges. He never let it slow him down or define his limits, and that same determination carried him through 83 years of building and fixing things and showing up for the people and causes he cared about.

Jim was born on April 13, 1943, in Bayonne, NJ, to James and Ann Rushforth (née Kalapos). When he was a boy, the family moved to Westfield, NJ, where he graduated from Westfield High School. He went on to attend Albright College in Reading, PA, where he earned a BS in Mathematics and Physics.

After college, Jim began his career at Western Electric, where he met his future wife, Patricia Ann (née Hoar) of Bogota, NJ. The two married and settled in Fanwood, NJ, where they raised their two children. Jim later took on more senior manufacturing engineer roles at Dynapac and Weldotron, bringing the same hands-on precision to his work that he brought to everything else in life.

That precision showed up early. From a young age, Jim had a gift for fixing and restoring cars, often hand-making and welding the parts he needed. It was a passion he never outgrew. For many years, Jim worked part-time at Dave's Auto Service Center in Fanwood. As much as Jim loved cars, he loved people just as much, and he was known for striking up a conversation with anyone who pulled in; regulars and strangers alike who just needed to refuel.

Jim poured that same energy into scouting. As a dedicated Boy Scout leader for Troop 203 in Scotch Plains, he spent many years mentoring young scouts and partnering with the broader community. Ever the innovator, he helped dream up new ways to fund troop activities — including monthly newspaper drives (long before recycling programs existed) and an annual Christmas wreath sale that became a beloved tradition for many years.

Jim and Pat were longtime, active members of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Stanislaus Kostka RC Church in Plainfield. After Pat's passing, Jim moved to Long Island, NY, to be closer to his daughter and her family, where he spent his later years surrounded by loved ones and newfound friends.

Jim is survived by his children, Jim E. (Westport, NY) and Kathy (Wantagh, NY); grandchildren Eloise and Lilyan; brother Tom (River Edge, NJ); and many treasured nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will carry his memory forward with warmth and gratitude.

He is predeceased by his wife, Pat (who passed away in 2014), and his brother George (Phoenix, AZ).

Jim will be remembered as a man of quiet strength — kind, capable, and endlessly resourceful — who met every challenge life handed him with grit and good humor, and who gave generously of his time to the people and community around him.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Stanislaus Kostka RC Church, 368 Sumner Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07062, on August 18, 2026, at 11:00 am.

Internment details to follow; likely based in Northern New Jersey.