James Dennis Mcbride

James (Jim) Dennis McBride, age 65 died at the Duke Hock Family Pavilion on July 19, 2020. He was born on September 23,1954 to the late Harriett Gertrude and James McBride in Harlem Woman’s Hospital (now known as St. Luke’s Hospital) in New York city.

He and his family moved to Tinton Avenue in the South Bronx where he developed lifelong friends. Jim attended St Anselm’s school until his 8th grade graduation. Due to his swimming prowess and leadership skills he became the lead lifeguard at the High Bridge swimming pool in Harlem.

Jim attended and graduated high school at Cardinal Hayes where he became one of the better basketball players in the City and garnered All City status. That status propelled him to be highly recruited by many colleges to play basketball, but he ultimately accepted a basketball scholarship to attend Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Jim had an impressive 1st year of playing basketball which was cut short by a career ending knee injury but persisted until he graduated with a Business degree.

While in Washington and pursuing his degree, he coached (the woman’s team amongst others). Upon graduation he began work at Academic Press (a book publishing company). Jim returned to his 1st love as a basketball coach at his beloved high school (Cardinal Hayes) where he also taught a variety of classes and utilized that opportunity to positively influence the lives of several inner-city kids.

He subsequently moved to a job with the International Business Machine corporation (IBM) and worked in their main office in midtown Manhattan as well as many other locations. With 30+ years of service in the corporation, it is more than apparent that Jim’s ability to command the respect of everyone he came into contact with made him an invaluable asset and resource to whatever office he was assigned. One of those offices he was assigned to during his career was in Stamford Connecticut, where he met Ursula Matthews, his future wife.

From Stamford, CT, Jim moved with IBM to Research Triangle Park in North Carolina (where he has lived for the last 25+ years). He developed a love of golf as he still had a need for competition which then led him to work closely with The Jimmy Valvano Foundation for Cancer Research for many years. He was also a founding member of the Holy Infant Catholic Church Golf Association (HIGA).

Wherever Jim has lived, there was always a common theme – he would be universally loved, respected and would genuinely be his individual self. He was always a provider, confidant, protector, and amateur comedian. At 6’8”, he was a gentle giant who had the knack of making everyone trust and love him. He had the ability to “lighten-up” every room he entered!

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Ursula; his siblings, Harriett Gail, Lucy, and John; his son, James William (Jay), daughter-in-law Candace, and grandchildren, Carmen, Eva and Erin. He has a host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Ursela Jameta.

We would like to acknowledge his childhood Tinton Crew, IBM coworkers, Antiguan family & friends, and Holy Infant Catholic Church family. As an active member of the Holy Infant Parish for over 20+ years, he served as a member of the Parish Pastoral Council, Liturgical Commission, Finance Council, and Coordinator, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.

A Mass of Christian Burial & Celebration of Life will be celebrated at a later date.

The McBride family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences: www.hallwynne.com – select obituaries.