James A. McGuinness, 88, funeral director

James A. McGuinness, 88, of Woodbury, founder and longtime manager of McGuinness Funeral Home in Woodbury, died of congestive heart failure Monday, Aug. 9, at his home.

Mr. McGuinness, known for his patience and listening skills, was cut out for the job of dealing with the loss of a loved one, his son Bill said.

However, he also could have made a good politician.

When Mr. McGuinness opened his funeral home in 1950 with just his wife as a business partner, he would go to four or five diners each morning to meet people and promote his business.

Even after establishing a successful business, which now has 22 employees, Mr. McGuinness continued to make his morning diner rounds.

"He would have coffee and a doughnut at each one," his son said.

Though not as active as in previous years, Mr. McGuinness continued to oversee the funeral home's operations until a few weeks ago.

Mr. McGuinness was born and raised in Woodbury and graduated from Woodbury High School in 1939. He enlisted in the Army and worked as an interviewer of soldiers at bases in Denver and Washington state, his son said.

While on leave, Mr. McGuinness was trying to figure out what he would do for a living after the war. On his way to a Phillies game, he drove by a funeral home and decided right then that it was the career he wanted, his son said.

Once the war was over, Mr. McGuinness married his high school sweetheart, Marie L. Schultes. The couple moved to North Jersey, where Mr. McGuinness served a funeral director's apprenticeship at a funeral home in Cliffside Park, Bergen County.

After the two-year stint, he graduated in 1949 from the Eckels College of Mortuary Science in Philadelphia and founded McGuinness Funeral Home.

In addition to his son Bill, Mr. McGuinness is survived by a son, James Jr.; daughters Kathleen M. Berg and Irene M. Bradley; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2004.

Viewings will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, and 8:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at McGuinness Funeral Home, 34 Hunter St., Woodbury.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, at Holy Angels Parish at St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church, 64 Cooper St., Woodbury.

Interment will be in Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Williamstown.