James J. Tuma died Wednesday March 22, 2017 at JFK Hartwick in Edison, NJ. He was 64.
Jimmy was born with Down Syndrome on October 14, 1952, a son to the late Catherine C. (Grimm) and Victor J. Tuma in Orange, NJ. He was raised in Springfield, NJ before moving to Edison in 1997.
Jimmy, always with a smile, enjoyed special education at a Sheltered Work Shop in Roselle, NJ until he was 20. He then continued as an assembly worker at the Work Shop until he "asked" to retire in 1997. He had a great sense of humor and would laugh at all jokes, good or bad. He was quite the artist, enjoying coloring, painting, and Lite Bright. Jimmy loved horses and cars and would have all his toys in perfect order at all times. When his nieces an nephews knocked them down and mixed them up, he would just smile let them play, and quietly put them back in there place when they were through. He loved his meals, especially his sliced oranges, or orange soda. Jimmy was happiest when swimming in a pool. He led a great life, and brought more joy to his family than anyone could imagine. A happy, gentle soul, he will be greatly missed!
He was pre-deceased by his parents, and his sister-in-law Peggyann F. Tuma.
Jimmy is survived by his 2 brothers Victor B. Tuma, and John E. Tuma and his wife Rita, 8 nieces and nephews, Gary, Craig, Heather and Glenn, Eric, Lauren, Sean and Catherine, and 13 grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Friday March 24, 2017 from 6-8 pm at the Valley Memorial Funeral Home 1012 Valley Rd., Gillette, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday March 25, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Vincent de Paul RC Church in Stirling, NJ. Interment will follow at Woodbridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Woodbridge. Memorial contributions may be made to JFK Hartwick at Edison 2048 Oak Tree Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. or the National Down Syndrome Society at ndss.org.

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