FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| James J. Zale |
| December 20, 1940 - September 7, 2025 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:30 to 10:20 AM at St. Cecilia Church, PhiladelphiaFuneral Mass - Saturday, September 27, 2025, 10:30 AM at St. Cecilia Church, Philadelphia Graveside Service - Saturday, September 27, 2025, 12:00 PM at Lawnview Cemetery, Rockledge |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Cecilia Church - 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-725-1240 - Map |
| Cemetery - Lawnview Cemetery - 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-379-1600 - Map |
| Family Florist - Sally’s Flowers - 7950 Oxford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-722-4500 - Map |
| Donation - Save the Children - 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 - 800-728-3843 - Map |
The following was composed by the Jim’s family;
James J. Zale - December 20, 1940 to September 7, 2025
James “Jimmy” Zale of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formerly of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania,
passed away Sunday, September 7th, 2025. He was 84 years old. Jimmy is survived by his
brother Edward M. Zale (Sharon), and his stepsons, Gary (Sarah) Sheehan, Greg Sheehan, and Thomas Sheehan. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Loretta Zale; his sisters, Mary “Cookie” McPherson (Tom), and Suzanne “Suzy” Zale Buck; his parents, Ad and Ann Zale; as well as his stepdaughter, Lori Graebner and stepgrandson, Christopher Sheehan. Jimmy was a beloved husband, son, brother, stepfather, and neighbor to many, and he will be especially missed by all of his step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews: Bryan, Derek, Haley, and Nic Sheehan; Kellen, James, Elizabeth, and Madalene Zale; and Tommy, Michael, Christopher, and MaryEllen McPherson.
Born the oldest of four in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Jimmy was raised in Upper Darby and attended Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School. He then attended Villanova University and worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for over forty years.
Jimmy and Loretta were married in 1976 and were together until she passed away in 2016. Jimmy affectionately called her “Loretts” and loved taking her out on the town and to visit with her sister Dolores over in Glenside, to see one of his sisters— Cookie in Williamsport, or up to the Poconos to see Suzy, and always over to Academy Lane to chat with Ad and Granny Ann. Jimmy loved betting on the horses, playing Wordle, and listening to the Phillies games on his kitchen radio. He never missed a birthday or a holiday, and always sent the best cards with a funny joke for every occasion. He loved going to Brigantine in the summer for vacation with his sister Suzy, and looked forward to dressing up and going out to dinner with her at the Austrian Village, Gallo’s Seafood, and Marco Polo. You could find him most nights at the Hollywood Tavern, drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, cursing at whichever Philadelphia sports team was losing, and stepping out to smoke a “ciggy”.
Jimmy could almost always be spotted from afar in his red Dickies belt and matching red sweater. Referred to by some affectionately as “Rain Man”,he knew the time of day without ever looking at a clock; he always solved the daily NYT Wordle puzzle (even without owning a cell phone to play on); and could tell you every obscure fact you could think of, from what exit on the turnpike to get off at, to the exact date someone got married on over 50 years ago. Jimmy was a one-in-a-million kind of guy and will be remembered fondly.
Family and friends were invited to celebrate Jimmy’s life at St. Cecilia’s Church, 535 Rhawn St, Philadelphia, PA 19111 on Saturday, September 27, 2025 visitation from 9:30 to 10:20 AM and a 10:30 AM funeral mass. His graveside followed at Lawnview Cemetery 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Save the Children 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfiled, CT 06825.
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
James J. Zale - December 20, 1940 to September 7, 2025
James “Jimmy” Zale of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formerly of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania,
passed away Sunday, September 7th, 2025. He was 84 years old. Jimmy is survived by his
brother Edward M. Zale (Sharon), and his stepsons, Gary (Sarah) Sheehan, Greg Sheehan, and Thomas Sheehan. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Loretta Zale; his sisters, Mary “Cookie” McPherson (Tom), and Suzanne “Suzy” Zale Buck; his parents, Ad and Ann Zale; as well as his stepdaughter, Lori Graebner and stepgrandson, Christopher Sheehan. Jimmy was a beloved husband, son, brother, stepfather, and neighbor to many, and he will be especially missed by all of his step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews: Bryan, Derek, Haley, and Nic Sheehan; Kellen, James, Elizabeth, and Madalene Zale; and Tommy, Michael, Christopher, and MaryEllen McPherson.
Born the oldest of four in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, Jimmy was raised in Upper Darby and attended Monsignor Bonner Catholic High School. He then attended Villanova University and worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Labor for over forty years.
Jimmy and Loretta were married in 1976 and were together until she passed away in 2016. Jimmy affectionately called her “Loretts” and loved taking her out on the town and to visit with her sister Dolores over in Glenside, to see one of his sisters— Cookie in Williamsport, or up to the Poconos to see Suzy, and always over to Academy Lane to chat with Ad and Granny Ann. Jimmy loved betting on the horses, playing Wordle, and listening to the Phillies games on his kitchen radio. He never missed a birthday or a holiday, and always sent the best cards with a funny joke for every occasion. He loved going to Brigantine in the summer for vacation with his sister Suzy, and looked forward to dressing up and going out to dinner with her at the Austrian Village, Gallo’s Seafood, and Marco Polo. You could find him most nights at the Hollywood Tavern, drinking a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer, cursing at whichever Philadelphia sports team was losing, and stepping out to smoke a “ciggy”.
Jimmy could almost always be spotted from afar in his red Dickies belt and matching red sweater. Referred to by some affectionately as “Rain Man”,he knew the time of day without ever looking at a clock; he always solved the daily NYT Wordle puzzle (even without owning a cell phone to play on); and could tell you every obscure fact you could think of, from what exit on the turnpike to get off at, to the exact date someone got married on over 50 years ago. Jimmy was a one-in-a-million kind of guy and will be remembered fondly.
Family and friends were invited to celebrate Jimmy’s life at St. Cecilia’s Church, 535 Rhawn St, Philadelphia, PA 19111 on Saturday, September 27, 2025 visitation from 9:30 to 10:20 AM and a 10:30 AM funeral mass. His graveside followed at Lawnview Cemetery 500 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Save the Children 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfiled, CT 06825.
Family flowers arranged by Sally’s Flowers 215-722-4500.
www.wetzelandson.com
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