James A. "Jay" Langan

Eulogy

Kevin Labadessa:

I have known Jay all of my life - he is not only my cousin but also a dear friend to me. This is really so shocking because I had just seen Jay a week before, and believe me when I tell you - it was the most positive and upbeat I had seen him in a long time. Like typical fashion that was Jay and I - we were making big plans, plans on how we would find a new angle on love and happiness.

Love and happiness.

Two things I can always call to mind when I think of Jay. His heart was full of love. Love and a loyal bond to his family, love for his friends, love and pride in his country and his Irish heritage, love for music, and a real love for life!

Happiness also makes me think of Jay. Some of the greatest laughs I have ever had in my life were shared with him. Just this summer Jay and I were at the safari in Great Adventure, we laughed our whole way through. In 1986 Jay and I attended a retreat at the shore - we were such cut-ups that the next year they shut the place down. Those were happy times, and I know that Jay tasted the joys of real happiness!

There is a song by the Irish band, the Waterboys called "Spirit", it says,
Man gets tired
Spirit don't
Man surrenders,
Spirit won't
Man crawls
Spirit flies
Spirit lives when man dies.

Jay lives on - in all he was to us, in the memories we shared, and the spirit that is never ending. God Bless you Jay - until we laugh again!!

Obituary

History: James Langan, age 31, died on Wednesday at St. Mary's Medical Center, Middletown Township, PA following an automobile accident on River Road in Solebury Township, PA.

He was born and resided in Perth Amboy and was presently employed as Assistant Front Desk Manager for Benchmark Conference Center at AT&T Corporate Learning Center, Basking Ridge, NJ. He was also employed by the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI.

Mr. Langan was a member of Holy Spirit Church, Perth Amboy. He was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School, Class of 1987 and graduated from Middlesex County Community College in 1993 with an Associate's Degree. He also graduated from East Stroudsberg University, E. Stroudsberg, PA in 1995 with a BS Degree and graduated from Johnson & Wales University, Providence RI, in 1998 with an MBA Degree in Hotel Management.

He was chairman for five years of Scandia Lodge #356, Vasa Order of America and served for one year on the District #6 Vasa Order of America State Board. He was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Perth Amboy for 15 years since the age of 16. He served on the NJ State Board as a State Sentinel and Deputy State Organizer, and held the office of Vice President and Historian in the Commodore John Barry Division 3 Ancient Order of Hibernians in Perth Amboy. He was presently financial secretary. He was also part of a host family for Project Children. He was a charter member and organizer of Alpha Chi Rho at Glassboro State College.

Mr. Langan was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Margaret and John Dall and his paternal grandparents, Jay and Ruby Langan.

Survived by: Surviving are his parents, Robert J. and Rose Langan of Perth Amboy; his brother and sister-in-law, Robert J. and Mag Langan, Jr. of Seoul, Korea, and his nephew Matthew Cahill Langan. Also surviving are many aunts, uncles and cousins.

close window