James died at his home in North Brunswick. He was 75. Born in Highland Park, the 9th child of Mary (Rhatican) and J. Vincent Hudson, he attended St. Paul's Grammar School in Highland Park and St. Peter's High School in New Brunswick where he excelled in football and basketball. He earned a football scholarship to Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas and also attended Upsala College. When he left school, he worked in the plumbing trade as a union plumber in New Brunswick Local 9, working for various contractors. From 1969 until 2012, he worked as a mechanical estimator for various mechanical contractors. He was also a construction code official and worked in surrounding towns including North Brunswick and Milltown. Jim served in the New Jersey National Guard and the 53rd Armor Tank Division, in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was a lifetime member of BPO Elks #324 in New Brunswick and a devout communicant of St. Mary of Mount Virgin R.C. Church in New Brunswick. Sports were a huge part of life. He loved watching his children play soccer, basketball and tennis. He also played recreation basketball and softball in New Brunswick, North Brunswick and Middlesex County leagues well into his 70's. He played for a senior softball team, traveling around the country, winning several national championships. He was an avid tennis player until the end. Jim was known for being a great ballplayer who had boundless energy and enthusiasm for life. He was a loyal friend to all and was the patriarch of the Hudson family. He had a great sense of humor and a larger than life personality. He loved to laugh, loved life and loved his family. Jim was deceased by his parents; four brothers, Bill, Frank, Bob and Vincent; four sisters, Madge (Jenkins), Marianne (Ducca), Kathleen and Jane; a nephew, Bob Jenkins Jr.; and a niece, Ann Horn. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 and a half years, Elaine (Bellak) Hudson; his son, Kevin Hudson and his wife Angela (Galasso) of Marlton; his daughter, Kerry Petrillo and her husband Matt of West Deptford; two grandchildren, Gianna Hudson and Jenna Petrillo; 27 nephews and nieces; and sisters-in-law, Rose Hudson of Greencastle, Pennsylvania and Diane Hudson of Spring Lake.
Published in Asbury Park Press & Home News Tribune