Obituary of James Edward Putnam

James Edward “Jim” Putnam passed away in his wife’s arms at Morristown Medical Center on August 22, 2024.  He was 75.

Born in Dayton, OH to John Orlin and Thelma Ursula (Dorsten) Putnam, James lived in Clifton, NJ before moving to Denville 42 years ago.  Jim earned his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Miami University in Oxford, OH and his Master’s degree in Marketing from Rutgers University in Newark, NJ.  He started his career as project manager at Xerox and then served as Marketing Project Manager at AT&T where he worked for 35 years.  After retiring from AT&T, Jim taught math at Randolph High School for 3 years.  Recently, he was serving as school lunch aid for the kindergarten children at the Shongum elementary school in Randolph, NJ.

Jim had a deeply kind heart and a wonderful sense of humor and he loved sharing dinner with family and friends.  He experienced so much happiness both in giving unexpected gifts, and in being helpful to others whether it be with their respective projects, or home repair, building a shed, gardening, or creative painting on canvas.  His hobbies included: organic gardening of veggies and herbs; beautifying his long, narrow yard with flowers, shrubs, and trees; playing classical pieces on the piano; painting landscape portraits; letting his wife win at Scrabble; and doing jigsaw puzzles.  Whenever he was seated, whether it be watching television in the family room or reading a historical novel in the living room, his rescue kitty, Miel, would jump to her favorite place on the planet—Jim’s lap.

Jim volunteered his time in so many ways: coaching PAL Soccer & Baseball; Morris County Courts; American Red Cross; Denville Fox Hill Rd. playground which he helped finance and build; Gardener Field playground; Rockaway River clean up; and the NJ Art Association where some of his paintings had been on display.  His art work was also presented in the Denville Community Calendar. 

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Zoë Elva (Cincotta) Putnam of Denville, NJ.  He is also survived by: his loving children Zoë Angenette and her husband Leonard Vilicic of Bowie, MD and Sherri Lee Putnam of NJ; his cherished grandchildren Jake Ryan and his wife Amanda Putnam, Samuel Evan Vilicic, and Spencer James Vilicic; and his great grandsons, Jarrett Henry Putnam and Anders James Putnam.  He also has several surviving siblings: Pat and her husband Dominic Stolfo of Dayton, OH; Jonelle and her husband John Norman also of Dayton; Jack and his wife Stephanie Putnam of Centerville, OH; Tom and his wife Debbie Putnam of Seaman, OH; David and his wife Arlene Putnam of Southport, NC; and Jeannie and her husband Rick Ponziani also of Centerville.  Jim was predeceased by his sister Connie Pavliga of Dayton. 

Family services were held at the home of Rick and Jeannie Ponziani.  For your remembrance, photos of Jim can be seen HERE. Jim had three charities that were important to him—Operation Smile, St. Jude, and Shriner’s Hospital.  In lieu of flowers a donation made to one of these charities in Jim’s name would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Local private services were held under the direction of Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834.