James Joseph O'Kane, Jr.

James Joseph O’Kane Jr. (JJ) has passed from this Earth at the age of 83 on March 30, 2024. Born in Brooklyn, NY, the only child of the late James J. O’Kane and Pauline DeRosse. He was educated at Brooklyn Tech and Pratt Institute and began his career with AT&T in Manhattan. He moved through the company in Pennsylvania at Operations Management and Sales Management, then moving to Corporate Headquarters in New Jersey to manage Product Development. He finished his career in managing Marketing and Advertising for AT&T’s computer-based office products.

JJ served with the USAF 106th Tactical Air Command in the early 60s. He was a life-long supporter of the Boy Scouts of America where he was a member for 46 years. He guided scouts and scout leaders on long-distance mountain treks and wilderness canoe trips about the country and Canada. He was a founder of the Delaware and Potomac Rivers Paddling Association, a group of former Scouts and friends that took “Whitewater Fly-in Paddle-out” adventure canoe trips.

The outdoors was something he always enjoyed and many family vacations were planned with outdoor activities in mind. 

Always a water-sports person, later in life he took up sailing. They retired to Smithfield to be close to the Chesapeake Bay. JJ was certified by the United States Coast Guard as a Merchant Marine Officer and “Master of 50-ton Vessels both Motor and Sail”; you could call him “Captain.”

Besides sailing the Bay, they sailed in the Virgin Islands and around Mallorca in Spain. One year they spent 7 months on their sloop “Escapade” visiting the harbor towns along the East Coast on their way from the bottom of Florida where they wintered out. 

He was a past member of the Gatling Point Boaters Club, the South Landing Yacht Club, and the Hampton Roads Fleet 30 Sailing Club where he was the newsletter editor for many years.

Always a reader, he had an extensive home library. He also enjoyed writing and was a member of the Isle of Writer’s Group.

He was an avid shooter. Every Monday you could find him on one of the local ranges in Wakefield at the Airfield Shooting Club shooting Skeet, Rifle, or Pistol.

A member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Smithfield, he had served as a Sacristan, a Catechist, and “Mr. Imagination” for Vacation Bible School Week. A member of the church’s Men’s Club, he enjoyed being of service to the community through the club’s charitable activities.

He is survived by his loving family and will be missed by his wife and soulmate of 60 years, Anne, daughter Karen Lossing (Steve), son James III (Cindy); grandchildren Elizabeth Lossing, Evan Lossing (Rachael), Bridget O’Kane, Aidan O’Kane, and Nolan O’Kane; great-granddaughter Oaklee Doran-Lossing. 

A Mass for The Celebration of Life will be given at The Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday April 13th at 11:00 AM. His ashes will be placed in the family plot in St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Queens, NY.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that individuals make a donation to their favorite charity. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.