James Kevin Leyden
James Kevin Leyden, 71, of Yonkers, NY died at home on Monday, June 22, after a very brief battle with cancer. He went peacefully, surrounded by family and friends.
Jim was born in the Bronx, NY on May 2, 1949, to James and Margaret (McAneney) Leyden. He was a proud son of the South Bronx, where he was raised on 138th St. and Brook Avenue, alongside his sisters Ann (Leyden) Hayward and Pat (Leyden) Woods. He attended St. Luke School, Cardinal Hayes High School (Class of ’67), and Lehman College.
He served his country with the US Army on the Korean DMZ in 1967 and 1968, as well as in California, Colorado, and Georgia.
Jim was a devoted husband and a loving father. He and Pat (Hayden) Leyden, his beloved wife of 47 years, also from the Bronx, were married on February 17, 1973. They raised their two children in the Crestwood section of Yonkers, NY. He served his community quietly, through his many personal connections with friends and neighbors, who relished his one-on-one chats off to the side at parties and gatherings, and around the streets of the neighborhood.
Jimmy’s career was defined by his time with CBS Sports in the 1980s, and his work as a Teamster and Foreman at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. It was from there after September 11, 2001, that Jimmy and fellow teamsters commandeered a few forklifts, drove them down the West Side Highway, and joined the rescue effort on the pile at Ground Zero for several days.
Jim was a talented storyteller, a New York City history buff, and a fount of knowledge on a seemingly endless variety of topics. He had authenticity. He was tough, but kind. Brave, but humble. Gruff, but always loveable. A man of decency and conviction who was always shooting it straight. When he gave advice, he gave it with authority, and you knew you could trust him. When you earned his respect, you had it forever, and he would fight for you to the end.
Jim is survived by his wife Pat, his children Maggie and Michael, his sisters Ann and Pat, his brother-in-law Tom Hayward, who he considered the brother he never had, and his 7 nieces and nephews. He was a role model and an inspiration for many others, and he will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to St. Luke School in the Bronx, NY. Checks should be made out to St. Luke School and sent to:
Ms. Tracey Coleman, Principal
St. Luke School
608 East 139th Street
Bronx, New York 10454
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Kirsten sherman says
June 24, 2020 at 8:41 pmUncle Jimmy, I will truly miss you, as will many. I will miss the stories that you told and the “matter of fact” way you told them. Say hi to Pop Pop , Nana, & my dad. Aunt Pat, Maggie & Michael, sending all my love. We have a great family.
#Leydenstrong
Niamh Bracken says
June 25, 2020 at 8:52 am‘Death Leaves a heartache
no one can heal.
Love leaves a memory
no one can steal
Ag Smaoineadh Ort – Thinking of you
Jenn Farrell says
June 25, 2020 at 2:25 pm“We are so lightly here. It is in love that we are made. In love we disappear.” – Leonard Cohen
Pat & Family…. Sending our sincerest condolences. Jenn, Tom, Molly XO
John McAneney says
June 25, 2020 at 3:09 pmCousin Jim , Thanks for the life time of memories , Hanging on Brook Ave , being on the worst little league baseball team in the world “MOONLIGHT MIDGETS, how can you win a ball game ,when your swimming in the river , and supposed to be up at bat , we had a blast as kids and never change it for the world , I can go on and on , Bottoms up cuz , say hi to everyone for me , be seeing ya , going to miss you, Mr Kool
Kathleen Hayward-Frith says
June 26, 2020 at 8:22 amJim
Forever gone but you will never forgotten. You were a great guy and when you told your stories everyone listened to what you had to say.. I know that all our family and friends are up there ready to listen to more of your stories. Will miss you
John O'Donnell says
June 26, 2020 at 9:42 amForever Young Jimmy. Up Hayes. Spike
Mike & Mary Cremin says
June 27, 2020 at 3:00 pmAnn our condolences to u and all the family
The Mcmorrow and Cremin families
Edna & Jim Pultz says
June 27, 2020 at 5:55 pmIt’s with heavy heart I write these words.,Jim we will miss your great smile and our conversations at family gatherings . I would like to express our deepest condolences to your wife Pat and your wonderful children. . RIP JIM???
gady reinhold says
June 28, 2020 at 10:01 amI worked with Jim at CBS. He was respected and loved by all. He gave me my first job directing an opening for a CBS Sales Upfront presentation. It was complicated and had a lot of special effects. He had a lot of trust in people and their abilities. I had only recently connected with him on Facebook and looked forward to many more meetings. So sorry for the family. A good man
vincent nauheimer says
June 28, 2020 at 10:44 amMy deepest condolences to Jim’s family. I’ve known Jimmy since high school at Cardinal Hayes and although we haven’t seen each other in years, we’ve been in touch on FB for quite a while.
Laurel says
June 28, 2020 at 11:21 amI’m so sorry to hear of this news. I will always remember Jim with a warm heart. My favorite memory of him was when he printed out the “Bioinformatics” Wikipedia page so he could talk about my major with me. Keeping the Leyden family in my thoughts.
Angela Addison says
June 28, 2020 at 12:01 pmMy Deepest Condolences to the family. I worked around Jim at the Javtis Convention ctr.
He was a quiet man. Really kept to him self, but if you had a chance to say good Morning. He would look up with his lttle smile and wave his hand and say good morning. Its the small things to make a great impact on ones live. Was Blessed to give him a BIG HUG. WHEN HE RETIRED.
ALL MY PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY.
Teri Tilwick says
June 30, 2020 at 11:10 amAnn,
I never met your brother, but feel as though I knew him. I would listen to your stories about his patriotism to America, his service to his country, his integrity, and mostly his great love for family. It made me happy and I often laughed at the stories you told about how you, as close siblings, spoke honestly to each other about your feelings and views, even when you disagreed. I never met him but, through you, I knew he was a wonderful and caring man. I am sure HE felt that love back from you and his entire family. I am so sorry for the pain you all must feel at this time.
Joan McMorrow says
July 3, 2020 at 4:58 pmOur deepest condolences to Pat, Michael and Maggie and all the Leyden Family. Sincerely, Joan & Frank Ferrante
Maureen Femenella says
July 14, 2020 at 8:12 pmDuring Jimmy’s eulogy, Michael spoke about what a great storyteller his Dad was. It brought back memories of when I was a little kid. When my Aunt Maggie and Uncle Jiggs would come to visit, we were always happy when my cousin Jamesy came with them. While the adults were busy being adults, Jamesy, who was probably 13 or 14 at the time, would gather us together. We’d all go in our room and turn off the lights. That’s when he would summon his friend. Suddenly, there would be a different voice in the room. He’d introduce himself as Jiminy Cricket and he would talk to us and tell us a story. When the story was done, I’d race to turn on the light to see if I could catch a glimpse of him but he had always slipped away. Looking back now, what a nice teenager he was to spend that time with us and give me that great memory.
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