James Edward Lowe, 87, Fairfield resident; member of fire department for 57 years – New Jersey Hills

He was raised in the greater Newark area of Essex County. At 17, he enlisted in the United States Army and served from 1948-1951, mostly in post-World War II Germany as part of the initial peacekeeping mission that would mark the beginning of the Cold War.

Following his discharge from military service, he was trained as a structural iron worker, a trade he practiced as a union tradesman working out of Local 11 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers.

He married his wife of 64 years, Loretta, on June 12, 1954, and the new family eventually settled in Fairfield in March 1960. James and Loretta would go on to have five children, to whom James was a loving father.

James was also a proud member of the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department for 57 years, holding various leadership roles, most notably vice president, treasurer and fundraising chairman for over 25 years.

James was a figure of Fairfield life for most of the past 60 years, actively participating in township politics and events. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Thomas More Church.

James was predeceased by his parents, Margret (Ward) Lowe and Ernest Lowe; his brother, Thomas Lowe; his sister, Arlaine Lowe; and his son-in-law Gabriel Scalcione. He is survived by his wife Loretta (Pier) Lowe; his children Deborah A. Scalcione, Donna M. Kon, Arlene M. Lowe, James E. Lowe and Robert R. Lowe; his son-in-law, Michael Kon, and his daughter-in-law, Kathleen Lowe; his grandchildren, Matthew G. Scalcione (Kimberly Scalcione), Diane M. Lowe (Christopher Furlong), Aaron G. Lowe, Emilia F. Kon and Rachel M. Kon; his great-grandchildren, James E. Lowe, Delainey J. Scalcione, Kaylee M. Furlong and Eliza F. Scalcione; and his sisters-in-law, Sharon Faas and Virginia Lowe.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Fairfield Volunteer Fire Department, 5 Commerce Road, Fairfield, N.J. 07004 or to Several Sources Shelters, P.O. Box 157, Ramsey, N.J. 07446.