James F Colaianni

August 6, 1922 - October 5, 2016

James F. Colaianni, (October 5, 2016) a 30-year resident of Ventnor, died at his home in Galloway, New Jersey. He was 94. Jim was a Catholic lay theologian who enjoyed a colorful life and varied career in publishing, law, music, and political activism. During the 1960s, Jim became managing editor of the radical Catholic San Francisco based Ramparts Magazine, and also authored two books on issues important to the Church: "Married Priests & Married Nuns," and "The Catholic Left." Today, his works serve as reference material to theologians and religious reformers. Jim later penned dozens of books with religious and spiritual themes. In Washington D.C. in the late 60s, Jim served as Executive Director of the Liturgical Conference where he worked in partnership with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the civil rights organization founded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His association with the SCLC went hand in hand with his political and religious activism. In 1970, Jim founded Voicings Publications, which produced resource material for the clergy. Jim was an avid tennis player, and was frequently spotted at the beautiful municipal tennis courts across from his home. He was a formidable and often unbeatable match. His Voicings Publications' office, one block from his Ventnor home was a neighborhood fixture for decades. Jim was a proud member of the year-round beach community. Colaianni and his wife, Pat, affectionately known as "Tink," frequently opened their home on Atlantic Avenue to support various causes, including the Atlantic City Ballet. Their home, a former residence of George Hamid of Steel Pier fame, was a late night destination for members of the Atlantic City entertainment scene. Jam sessions with such Atlantic City notables as Yusef Ali, Carlton Drinkard, Don Phillips, Georgie Shaw, Sonny Schwartz, one-of-a-kind cab driving singer Cooks Books, and even such bright lights as Freddy Cole, would continue into the wee hours of the morning. Colaianni, a jazz pianist by avocation, often sat at the Steinway. Amid a busy career, Jim dabbled in the role of producer, managing concerts for his son, pianist John Colaianni, in collaboration with Art D'Lugoff of New York's venerable Village Gate theatre. Jim produced a successful run of the popular musical "One Mo' Time" at the Village Gate North, in Toronto, Canada. Jim was born August 6, 1922, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Louis Joseph Colaianni, and Catherine Colaianni, nee Nauman. He attended St. Joseph's High School in Paterson, where, although only 5' 7" he became a legendary basketball champ, leading his team to 30 straight wins earning a hail in the local paper: "Colaianni made the other team look like tin soldiers." Later, as coach, Jim led St. Joseph's to the state championship, and is commemorated in the New Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame. Colaianni was a technical sergeant in World War II and attended John Marshall Law School on the GI Bill. He received the law degree of LLB. Later, Jim earned a Master's degree in theology at the Institute of Lay Theology at San Francisco University. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Patricia Colaianni, nee Kelly, daughters Karen Johnson and Janice Sosebee (Carl), sons James F. Colaianni Jr. (Lori), Louis and John, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his beloved daughter, Pamela. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Wimberg Funeral Home, 211 E. Great Creek Rd, Galloway 609-641-0001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 10th at 10:45 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 146 S. Pitney Rd, Galloway. For condolences or directions, please visit wimbergfuneralhome.com