James Robert Gardner

James Robert Gardner (Jimmy/Jim), 65 of Old Bridge, New Jersey passed away on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Jim was born in Bayonne Hospital on February 5, 1960 to the late Robert A. Gardner and Alice E.(Parke) Gardner. During his childhood Jim, following in the footsteps of his father, enjoyed bowling and was in youth bowling leagues and tournaments over many years. He also enjoyed playing softball in neighborhood pick up games, coached by his dad, that often ended up in Bayonne Park. Jim was a graduate of Henry Snyder High School. He often said the best part of high school were his shop classes where he learned the skills that helped him hire onto his first job. Soon after high school Jim started a lifelong career in the chemical industry. He started his journey at American Chemicals, learning the distribution business and also acted as the main consultant for transitioning the company when it was acquired by Houghton Chemicals in 1990. As his career progressed, Jim would later find an opportunity at John C. Dolph Co (later becoming Von Roll) where within a short period Jim had progressed to the Supply Chain Manager for North America where he would spend over 20 years of his career. Most recently Jim was the director of purchasing for Pflaumer Brothers in Ewing, NJ where he was tasked to help grow the Polyaspartic business along with Harley and Craig of Pflaumer Brothers Inc. Jim would meet the love of his life more than 20 years ago, Leigh Ann. The couple would marry a year later, and live together in Spotswood before eventually settling in Old Bridge. Jim loved spending time at their Lakehouse on Lake Wallenpaupack in Pennsylvania. He enjoyed spending time on the pontoon boat out on the lake and watching the many sunsets. Jim also loved fast cars, motorcycles, and fishing. More than anything Jim loved being with family and friends and he will be deeply missed by all those that love him. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Alice; grandparents James and Pauline (Theis) Gardner, Edwin and Alice (Servis) Parke; Aunts and Uncles Edwin Parke Jr (Mildred), Robert Parke (Geraldine), John Parke, Martha Jean Parke Stewart (Douglas), Edith Parke Dichiara (Alfred), Anne Gardner, William Gardner (Thomassina), Joan Gardner Hilinsky (Bernard): cousins Arlene Parke Vance, Donna Jean Stewart, Douglas Stewart, James W. Gardner, William Hilinsky, Paula Hilinsky Matos. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 20 years Leigh Ann Gardner, his sister Debra (Gardner) Sizemore (James); nephew Gregory Sizemore; stepson Tyler Licata; Mother-in Law, Barbara Benko; Sisters-in-Laws Lisa Rodriguez (Carlos), Laura Ceriello (John) and nieces and nephews Ava, Grant, & Luchia; his Aunt Maryjane (McCarthy) Parke; and many cousins. A celebration of Jims' life will take place from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Michael Hegarty & John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals and Cremation Service, 3377 US Highway 9, Old Bridge, New Jersey. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.HegartyScaliaFuneralHome.com

James Robert Gardner

February 5, 1960 - February 13, 2025