James Bibbo, age 83 years, of Frenchtown, NJ, died suddenly but peacefully on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at his home.

Born on August 8, 1938 at Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, NJ, he was the son of the late Michael and Diva Dini Bibbo. Raised in Branchburg, NJ, Jim graduated from Somerville High School in 1956.

It was after graduating high school, that he would enlist in the United States Navy and would faithfully serve his country until 1960 when he was honorably discharged as an Electricians Mate Second Class, inactive till 1962. Serving on the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Tarawa (CV-40) and U.S.S. Randolph (CVS-15), Jim was able to see the world and his missions included tracking Russian submarines, of which he was most proud.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Jim immediately found work with PSE & G where he quickly rose the ranks to eventually serve as a Division Meter Supervisor, working out of Trenton, NJ. His knowledge, coupled with his tremendous work ethic, made him well respected among his peers. His career spanned over forty years with the company of which he was so very proud.

It was not just a career that Jim stumbled upon after his military discharge; his life would also take another turn shortly upon his return stateside in that one day while doing some banking at the State Bank of Somerset, he would spy a Ms. Joyce Hudak working diligently at the teller window.  Soon, all of his banking needs seemed only to be solved with her help. The two would be married on June 25, 1966 at St. Magdalen Church, then located on Park Avenue in Flemington.

For more than fifty-five years, the couple would find strength and hope in their love for one another, and their foundation in their catholic faith. Their union would bring them two sons, Michael and John, and a daughter, Corinne. Each would know that their dad was there for them in all they did, and his love was unwavering.

For his sons, he was a mentor and trusted ear when it came to anything electric, especially as they forged their own careers in the electrical and engineering fields. For his daughter, she was the apple of her Dad’s eye and of course his “favorite daughter”. She also shared in her Dad’s love of traveling the world in her career as a meeting professional.  He simply supported them in all their endeavors and was a true rock and beacon of light.

Jim’s kindness, humor, love, and of course smirky grin, permeated all that he did, and his family and friends meant the world to him. He was always so proud of each of them, not only for their accomplishments, but because of who they were as individuals.

He enjoyed traveling, which opened his horizons during his time in the military.  He and Joyce traveled to many historical sites and to his ships reunions.  He spent time doing research on his ancestor, Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi.  Jim also had a passion for collecting antique model cars.

Living near the Delaware River in bucolic Frenchtown allowed Jim the ability to commune with nature and he was well known to ‘talk’ to the resident deer and all the other animals. He enjoyed listening to Blue Grass and Country music, as well as watching westerns, and driving his John Deere tractor.  Jim also enjoyed watching Fox News and was well known for his uninhibited “hold nothing back” views on Politicians in DC.

From his youngest years, faith was important to Jim and not a day went by where he was not grateful to God for all the gifts given to him. He was also fond of appreciating God’s magical touch in nature and believed that slowing down and truly being mindful of these majesties could help one find their place in life.

He and Joyce were longtime members of St. Edward the Confessor Church in Milford, NJ, and were a part of the Golden Agers club.

Always giving back to the community as he believed God wanted him to do, Jim was a Past President of the Central Jersey Electrical League, a former Boy Scout Webelos Leader, and was instrumental in donating both his time and talents for the electrical refurbishment of the U.S.S. New Jersey when it was brought to Camden, NJ to be decommissioned and made into a museum.

Though his death is sad, as his smile and hugs will be greatly missed, and his family rejoices in their faith with the knowledge that when Jim closed his eyes to this world, he was surely met with these words from Matthew 25:23 when he opened them in that placed promised to all people:  Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his youngest sibling, Michael, who died when he was only eight years old, but for who Jim prayed for daily and always kept in his heart.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce Bibbo; his son, Michael Bibbo and his wife, Janice and their children, his grandchildren, Faith and Kaleigh; his son, John Bibbo and his wife, Dana; his daughter, Corinne Bibbo and her fiancé, David van Leeuwen; his sister-in-law, Irene Vecchio; his siblings, Patricia Olszyk and Peter Bibbo; several extended family members; and many dear friends.

Jim will lie in repose on Sunday, August 15, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 p.m., as well as on Monday, August 16, 2021 from 9:45 -10:45 a.m., all in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Rev. Fr. Kris Kaczynski will be celebrated at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 61 Mill Street, Milford, NJ 08848 on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. and to which all are welcome.

Interment with military honors will follow mass at St. Magdalen Cemetery, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Jim’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to the church at the address above.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”