James J. Howley ’42

Jim Howley died Feb. 12, 2012, in Florida after a brief illness.

Jim was born in Jersey City, N.J., in 1920 and graduated from St. Peter’s Preparatory School at age 16. He went on to Hotchkiss and later to Princeton, where he was an outstanding lineman on the football team for three years and a member of Cap and Gown. At all of these schools, Jim’s ability to make and keep friends became apparent.

In the middle of his senior year, Jim left Princeton and made an unsuccessful attempt (because of poor vision) to receive a commission in the Navy. Instead he worked for Pan American Airways in Brazil and later for the OSS in Africa. Following the war he returned to Princeton and received his degree.

In 1948, Jim married the renowned fashion designer Tina Leser. As a honeymoon the couple took a trip around the world, during which Tina looked for inspiration in exotic lands such as India. Subsequently Jim worked as director of manufacturing in Tina’s dress-design business.

Tina died in 1986. Following the death of his second wife, Virginia, Jim married Donna Ullery. He is survived by Donna; daughter Georgine; three stepchildren; and 12 grandchildren. The class extends sympathy to them.