James J. Julia Sr., 60, former Mummer captain

WHEN ANTHONY Stagliano is in the Downtowners clubhouse in South Philadelphia, he is still waiting to hear that step on the stairs.

Neither Stagliano, who is the Downtowners' captain, nor anyone else in the rarefied world of Philadelphia Mummery can believe that Jim Julia is gone.

Surely, he's going to walk back up those stairs at 149 Snyder Ave. to be with the organization that was his passion and pride for so many years.

Jim was not only a leader as a Mummer, he was an inspiration, a cheerleader, a promoter and a devoted lover of the Downtowners Fancy Brigade.

Win or lose in the Mummers Parade, it didn't matter to Jim. The Downtowners was his baby, and he cared for it and its members as a doting father might his precious children.

James J. Julia Sr., longtime employee of Verizon and PECO, a Mummer for more than 35 years, past captain of the Downtowners for 17 years, former president of the Fancy Brigade Association, and a devoted family man whose wisdom and advice were sought by his family, collapsed and died in his office at PECO on Nov. 12. He was 60 and lived in Newark, Del., but at heart was a lifelong Philadelphian.

"He was a true Mummer," said Stagliano. "He was a mentor to club mentors. He made sure he could spend time with each individual member. He always gave sound advice. He was a fierce competitor, and there was nothing he was afraid to do.

"He was more than a fellow member to me, more than a friend. I considered him to be a brother, a father figure, a mentor."

Jim was the fourth of the six captains of the Downtowners.

"He was a tremendously strong person," said his son, James Jr. "Unshakable. He knew what was important and he helped steer me in the right direction. I called on him for any concern I had about the next step in my life. He was always there with a lot of wisdom."

"He was very hardworking, but he knew how to have a good time," said his daughter, Meghan Pallante. "He loved Christmas, trips to Wildwood. He liked a good time. He liked to joke around.

"But you could always depend on him if something went wrong. He had the voice of reason."

Jim was born and raised in South Philadelphia, the son of Andrew Julia Sr. and the former Helen Diamond.

He graduated from the former St. John Neumann High School, now Ss. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School, and went on to La Salle University. He earned both a bachelor's and master's degree in finance.

He worked as a financial analyst for Verizon for 35 years and the last five years for PECO. He lived in the Northeast for a time and moved to Newark, Del., in 1996.

Jim married the former Debby Maurer in 1979.

He was a big Phillies fan, loved the Beatles and enjoyed a round of golf.

Joining the Mummers was a family tradition. His father and an uncle were instrumental in starting the Golden Crown Fancy Brigade, and Jim marched with it for a time before joining the Downtowners.

Besides his wife, son and daughter, he is survived by two brothers, Andrew Jr. and Robert; a sister, Helen Marino; and a granddaughter, Eva Pallante. He was predeceased by another brother, Raymond.

Services: Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 2301 S. 3rd St. Friends may call at 6 this evening and at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the church. Burial will be at All Saints Cemetery, Wilmington, Del.

Donations may be made to Philadelphia Mummers Brigade Association, P.O. Box 37541, Philadelphia, PA 19148.