James J. Sweeney, Sr.

James J. Sweeney, Sr., a retired City of Philadelphia police officer, died Monday, February 26, 2018, after a long illness.  He was 80.

Born in Philadelphia, Jim was the son of the late Dominick J. and Mary (McNamee) Sweeney.  Dominick and Mary were Irish immigrants from Donegal, Ireland, who married in Philadelphia in 1935; Jim, the first of five children, grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School.  He was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School for Boys, Class of 1955.  Jim joined the City of Philadelphia Police Department; he was especially proud of serving the people of the City of Philadelphia as an officer in the 7th District.  After retiring from the Police Department, Jim was employed by SEPTA as an electrical mechanic working primarily on the elevated trains at 69th & Market Sts. 

Everywhere Jim went, he knew someone.  He was well known for his big personality and a sense of humor with a mischievous wit.  He lived for his children and grandchildren.  Jim loved Ocean City, NJ and enjoyed spending Indian Summer weekends there with the whole family when he could.

He was the husband of the late Mary E. (Ahern) Sweeney (Mary died in 2016) and is survived by his children: Mary K. Owens and her husband, Michael, James J. Sweeney, Jr. and his wife, Kimberly, Robert E. Sweeney and his wife, Jeanine,  and Daniel Sweeney; and his grandchildren: Jennifer Owens, Courtney Owens, Kayla Sweeney, James J. Sweeney, 3rd, Patrick Sweeney, Amanda Sweeney, Brendan Sweeney, Daniel Sweeney, Bridget Sweeney and Lauren Sweeney.  He is also survived by his siblings: John Sweeney, Michael Sweeney, Edward Sweeney and Mary K. Chancellor and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives, friends and members of City of Philadelphia FOP Lodge # 5 are invited to his viewing on Tuesday at 9:30 AM at St. Cecilia Roman Catholic Church.  His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.

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