LELAND — James George Victor, 66, of Leland, North Carolina passed away on January 15, 2025 after a long illness. Jim was born on November 9, 1958 to the late Frank and Rosemary Victor. He was predeceased by his son James Alexander. Jim was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Jim was born in Hoboken NJ, and was raised in Jersey City, NJ. He spent his childhood summers at Lake Parsippany where he had many fond memories with family and childhood friends. He graduated from Jersey City State College and became a systems analyst. In 1985 he met his beloved wife Carolyn and they married in 1987. After getting married they moved to Hazlet NJ where they would raise their family for 33 years before moving to Leland NC.
Jim was heavily involved in the Hazlet community . He could often be found on the sidelines coaching the local soccer team or rooting for his children at their events. This started in 1993 with Peanuts soccer and ended in 2019 with college field hockey. He was always at his happiest when spending time with his family.
Family vacations were enjoyed by Jim. He especially loved going to Disney World and the many beach vacations plus he could always find something historical to visit while traveling. Due to his love of history he also enjoyed going to Washington DC where he would love to see the memorials, especially the Lincoln Memorial. Of course if he was not there he was at the National Air and Space Museum, which was not surprising due to one of his favorite movies being Apollo 13.
Jim was an avid, and loyal NY Mets fan since 1969. Throughout all these years his favorite player of all time was Tom Seaver. He was very happy when he found out Juan Soto was going to be a Met. He watched their games whenever he could and believed that every year was “their year”. Jim had many fond memories of going to Shea Stadium and Citifield with his kids. When it came to football Jim was a devoted Giants fan. He always appreciated watching the games with his children.
He loved decorating for Christmas and his pride and joy was setting up a Christmas village. It took him a few days to get it just the way he wanted it. Every year he faced the challenge of finding the perfect Christmas tree to cut down. He often forgot the size of the house and was known for putting up gigantic trees that took up most of the room. He always felt like more inside and outside decorations were needed and added to the collection every year.
Throughout the past 10 years, Jim will always be remembered for defying expectations through sheer will and determination.
Jim is survived by his loving wife, Carolyn: daughter Mariel and her husband Thomas O’Donnell, son Robert and his wife Katherine, son Charles Gunningham, and daughter Jacqueline. Jim will be remembered by his loving grandson James O’Donnell who brought immense joy and pride to his life.
He is also survived by his brother Frank Victor and his wife Mary Lou, sister Debbie Pancarician, and cousin Patti Victor, in laws, many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on February 15, 2:00 pm at Brunswick Beer and Cider on 1313 S. Dickinson Drive, Leland NC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Joshua Eyer Memorial Fund and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.