Kover, James David “Jim” “J”

 In Memorials

Kover, James David “Jim” “J” age 47 of Stillwater Twp., NJ passed away suddenly Tuesday February 28, 2023 at Newton Medical Center following complications from a cardiac incident. Born in Paterson, NJ, Jim grew up in Landing and Roxbury Townships. He had lived briefly in Bangor, PA before moving to Stillwater Twp.

A graduate of Roxbury High School class of 1994, he was a talented singer and member of the school classic band and choir. James was an ardent NY Rangers fan. Jim loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed cooking for them and valued family dinner time. He loved their family adventures and vacations together.

A true music fan, loving all genres but his heart was in his rock and roll and country, James was also a hard working and dedicated Retail Store Manager. Mr. Kover was predeceased by his maternal grandmother Marilyn Dunnigan.

James is survived by is wife Lindsay Gail Zoccola-Kover, his daughter Makenzie and his sons Aran, Ashton and Ethan. Also surviving are his parents Geraldine (nee McTeigue) and Charles Risner as well as his beloved pet dog “Odin”.

Memorial visitation will be held Monday March 6, 2023 from 930 to 1130 AM with memorial services beginning at 1130 AM in the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home #156 Main Street (Rt. 206) Newton, NJ. In lieu of flowers memorials in James memory may be made to the American Heart association www.heart.org. Online condolences through www.iliff-ruggierofuneralhome.com.

Showing 16 comments
  • Heather Schuster
    Reply

    Dear Lindsay,
    I am so very sorry about the loss of your husband. I’m thinking of you and your family. May Jim’s memory always be a blessing.

    • Dave Szatkiewicz
      Reply

      I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. I pray that your family finds solace in his memories. May James rest in peace.

  • Danielle Kover
    Reply

    RIP Jimmy. We all love you. On behalf of dad, Lindsay, Joe, Mom and myself.

    • Jennifer Chan
      Reply

      I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. The Landing Kids have so many great memories playing and spending time with Jimmy. My condolences to the entire family.

    • Danielle Haskoor
      Reply

      Jim the man with a smile for everyone and how are you for everyowe will be greatly missed A special ASM

  • Tony Masino
    Reply

    Rest easy my friend. I worked with Jim. Every day he would make it a point to say hello and ask how you were doing.
    I will miss him dearly.
    My Condolences to the family.
    Sincerely Tony Masino

  • Bridgette Tinsman
    Reply

    So saddened to hear of Jims passing. He was my manager for awhile in retail working overnights. He put pep in our step as we were all exhausted most of the time. He was funny too. On one occasion i was incredibly sick but still had to work. My 10 year old daughter wrote him a note saying i should be home getting better. Jim ended up sending me home in wee hours of the morning along with a note he wrote back to my daughter saying that he was sending me home so i could get better, that i was a hard worker and that she was such a good daughter to worry about me. That shows what a great father he was himself. My heart goes out to all his family during this difficult time. 💔
    Rest easy Jim, you will be missed.

  • Shannon Holly
    Reply

    So sorry! Jim was such a sweet person back in high school and he clearly stayed that way. My condolences to his beautiful family.

  • Mike Ficke
    Reply

    I have worked with Jim for the last 2 years. I can’t think of a better person that I have met in my life. God bless Jim and his family.

  • Makenzie Kover
    Reply

    I love you daddy. Win better up there for me.

  • Janice Jenkins
    Reply

    My condolences to you ALL….
    The day we met…Your proud grandparents Norma and Dave Kover your Dad Jim, of course your uncle David. Introduced you to your extended family on Nicholson Dr. Fair Lawn. Automatically you had aunts uncles and cousins. everyone was in love with little Jimmy, sweetest little boy with big blue eyes and always a big smile! Always playing ball or learning to ride a bike with your Dad in your grandparents yard. After time we lost touch but reconnected when your grandmother Norma, passed. The minute I saw you I knew who you were! You sisters Lindsay, Danielle and brother Joe walked over together and said do you remember Jimmy! It was a joyous moment for me! You introduced your daughter Makenzie and son Aran. I took a group picture. We stay in touch not as often in past years mainly birthdays. Just know you were loved by many especially the Kover’s Casimiro’s, Danna’s O’Brain’s and Malone families. RIP Jimmy

  • Susan Smith
    Reply

    My deepest heartfelt sympathies for Lindsay, Makenzie, Aran, Ethan, Ashton, Geri and Charlie. I am so sorry for your loss. I know J was an Amazing Dad and a Wonderful son and the Love of Lindsay’s life; her face lit up everytime she spoke of him. My heart breaks for each and everyone of you.

  • Bernie Casimiro
    Reply

    I remember when you were just a little kid on Nicholson Drive and I used to play catch with you with the baseball. He always wanted to play but it seemed like I was always too busy doing something stupid which I regret. Rest in peace. You don’t put a frog in a holster

  • Heidi Mountford
    Reply

    I got to know Jim at the Pro desk at Lowes. Always such a positive and happy man and willing to help or just spend a few minutes talking. He spoke often of his children. I will miss seeing his smiling face and positive attitude. My thoughts are with his family.

  • Sheri Starner
    Reply

    Rest in peace Jim. My condolences to our children, Makenzie and Aran, your dad Jim Kover, his wife Joann and your siblings Lindsay, Danielle, and Joey. I’m sorry for your loss Lindsay, Ethan, and Ashton. I’m sorry for your loss Geri and Charlie Risner. Someone forgot to mention you lived in Florida, too. Makenzie was born in Melbourne. We didn’t move back to New Jersey until I was pregnant with Aran I’m so sorry for your loss Makenzie and Aran. May God open his arms and surround you with love during this very difficult time. Daddy should have had many more years with his family. Momma loves you always

  • Danielle Kover
    Reply

    Writing you endless letters as a small child. Sitting at my little desk at the house in fair lawn. Every damn day.

    Sending them to your moms house. I wanted to know my brother. No matter the circumstances of which I knew nothing about. Being 9-10 years old. A kid. With a brother I was desperate to have a better connection to. My dads son. With my dads name! I just had to have you in my life!

    Jimmy- Lindsay had a baby boy. She named him James. Dad tells everyone proudly that he is named after his uncle. He says “Im going to call him Jimmy”. He’s precious. Although we are all left nameless here- your name lives on.

    I’ll never know if you received those letters or not. But I promise..it must of been dozens.

    When grandpa Kover died I left your mom a message on her home phone. Some old address/phone number book mom had and I knew to call there. Desperate times. How could we not let you know your grandfather passed? Next day there you were. At the house in fair lawn. The true character of who you were is never lost on me. I know you loved us all so much.

    We kept in contact and I was just loving it. I remember thinking how cool it was to have a big brother! You came for Christmas Eve that year to the house in fair lawn With a furby. Lol stupid old toy that NO one could get their hands on. Lines up and down and around toy stores just to get that stupid toy. Somehow you had got one. For me! We went in the basement and looked for dads old records. Hung out at grandmas. We stayed connected. When Sheri was pregnant with Aran we all came to the baby shower. It felt like things could be good.

    But…..Me, just a kid, in 5th grade knew I had to tell my brother i barely knew of the death of our grandpa. The same consideration wasn’t applied when you passed to us as your family. I wish I wasn’t angry – but I am. I promised you I wouldn’t be mad and I am trying. But I came here to see you again and it hits me all over that no call came. No mention of your siblings that shared your blood, no mention of our father who you’re named after or our grandparents

    I cried when I saw the news on Facebook of all places. Mom called in shock late one night. She had to tell her husband – OUR FATHER that his first born son died. Mom didn’t deserve that. Dad didn’t deserve that. To be told at 5am before his work day that you were no longer with us before he stumbled on it on Facebook?!.
    I digress… because I promised to be level headed and to put your memory first

    I miss you. I remember visiting you with Joe in PA. You lived with buddies and Sheri and before the kids, you had a snake and tarantula ha. Super cool for me and Joey. We got to stay for. A few days. Y’all def were 90s gold lol flannel, cool music. Working at McDonald’s lol. Water bed upstairs.

    Please rain love and healing on us all. Please shine love upon your family and our family so that your kids and my kids and Lindsay’s kids all may have a relationship in the future. I pray we all unite to a place of realization. That were all family. – all respect to the parents that raised you… but I ask you to always shine your love down on your siblings, children and our dad, your familt and our family so that never ever will a rift be made permanent on us and our children.

    Family is the most important thing we have. And I came here again. Looked at you. Remembered you. Put down some words. The memories are special and pure and free of any negativity. You’re my fathers son. My sibling. My child’s uncle. My brother! I love you so much. This obit should read differently but anyone who knew you from birth – knows that. James Kover – thanks for keeping your last name. It’s a great name. I hope you’re with grandma and grandpa kover.

    You’re first generation Kover and I hope the rest of us Kovers, as we mature, grow and learn – become more United in love. Because it’s true and proven here that life is just too short. Too short to miss out on connection with family.

    I promise to keep in touch with your kids. Rain your love down on anyone standing between family and know how much we love you. I love and miss you.

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Norma J. Elvidge Of Newton, NjElizabeth Scordato Newton Nj