JAMES J. (JIM) January 14, 1907 - January 28, 2012 Wow 105! Jim was born in Union City (formerly known as West Hoboken), New Jersey to Mary Murphy Fanning and Patrick Fanning, Irish immigrants from County Monaghan, Ireland. Jim was the fifth of seven children. He had one brother, John Fanning and five sisters, Katherine (Katie) Mulligan, Helen Corcoran, Elizabeth (Lilly) McLaughlin, Mary Markey and Virginia Tobin. Jim attended St. Michaels Grade School then went on to Holy Cross Prep School. Jim also attended the Minor Seminary in Dunkirk, New York. After finishing school, Jim worked on Wall Street and was there during the big crash of 1929 (he said he didn't cause it). In 1933, after his father's death, Jim left Wall Street and took over the family bus business in Hudson County, NJ which ran to New York City, NY. Jim married Elizabeth Blackadder Fanning (Bess) in 1934 and the family started to grow, eight children in all. Jim became an iron worker in New Jersey. In June 1951 the family moved to Albuquerque. Jim continued Iron Working in Albuquerque and later became the union's business agent. Later the U.S. Department of Labor appointed him Director of the Outreach Program for the State of New Mexico, in which capacity Jim spoke to minority groups to encourage them to enter the building trades. After the death of Bess, Jim met and married Marion Steed and had a happy 18 years. Marion passed away in November 2002. Jim continued his life journey, met and had a 2 1/2 yearlong marriage to Jean Moffet until her death. Preceding Jim in death were his wife, Elizabeth Fanning (Bess); children, Mary Jane Fanning, Thomas A Fanning, Capt. Martin V. Fanning, Patricia A. Wessel; second wife, Marion Fanning; and third wife, Jean Moffet. Jim's remaining children are, James J. Fanning, Jr. of Albuquerque, John Mark Fanning and wife, Emilie of Greensboro, NC, Eileen Grube of Phoenix, AZ, Elizabeth DeRochie of Albuquerque. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. There will be a Rosary 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at French Lomas Chapel. A Mass of Celebration of Life will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 3, 2012 at Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, 5311 Phoenix Ave NE 87110 followed by burial of his cremains at Mount Calvary Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Jim at: RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500
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