James Mortimer

Jim had a love for life like no one else. When he was running his jewelry store, all he could think about was being on his boat in Chesapeake City, MD. Jim knew how to have fun, usually spending every weekend from April to late October on the boat. He made friends wherever he went and quickly gave everyone a nickname. Jim loved to travel, and some of his favorite vacations were cruises to the islands. Born on December 26, 1955 in Atlanta, GA, to Joseph Jr. and Barbara Mortimer, Jim was the 2nd in line of 5 children. He graduated from Arch Bishop Ryan H.S. in 1974. He quickly went into the family jewelry business and picked up on becoming a bench jeweler. Years later, Jim went out on his own and did trade work for some jewelry chain stores including Best Jewelers. Jim opened his first location on Mt. Holly Rd. in Burlington Twp. with his son Jim and his wife Lois. They quickly outgrew that small space and opened the first retail location right across the street where they operated a booming business for 10 years. Once again, they needed a bigger space and moved to the current location further down on Mt. Holly Rd. in Burlington. In the years of operating the business, three of the children worked side by side with Jim. Jim is preceded in death by his wife Lois and his father Joseph. He will be sadly missed by his mother Barbara of Phila., his loving and caring girlfriend, his angel, Barbara Jenkins of Burlington, his son Jim Jr. of Burlington, daughter Christy Louella (Jeff) of Feasterville, daughter Julie Sapnar (John) of Mt. Laurel, Chris Laird of Delran, and Craig Laird of Bloomingdale, NY. Jim was also the proud Pop-Pop of Tyler (Ty-man), Jocelyn, Jayda (Tater), and twins Dean and Raegan. Jim will also be missed by his "brother" Johnny Ellis of Mineral, VA. Jim was also the loving brother to Joseph III, Kathy Petrie (Mark), Douglas (Donna), and his late sister Barbie who lost her battle to breast cancer in 2011. Jim also leaves behind countless friends who were his extended family. When Jim was diagnosed with a glioblastoma multiforme IV in 2011, we weren't sure how it was going to go. Jim survived two major brain surgeries, radiation treatments and chemo for 3 years. He went to work everyday no matter what. His business is what kept him going; the love for his work and people was all the therapy he needed. Jim was a fighter and he won this battle, he beat the odds and he made us all proud. Life won't be the same without Morty, but I am sure he is having one heck of a party without us! Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thurs., 2pm, at the Galzerano Funeral Home, 3500 Bristol Oxford Valley Road in Levittown where funeral services will begin at 4pm. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Mortimer, please visit our flower store.