Obituary for James J. Fillis
James J. Fillis, devoted husband, father and grandfather died peacefully in his sleep on December 30th at Calvary Hospital. Jim was born in the Bronx on October 6th, 1937 and lived in Manhattan. He was the son of Margarethe and James Leon Fillis who moved the family to Eastchester in 1943 to open and run the Columbia Riding School.
As a boy Jim rode and cared for horses as his father and grandfather before him. Jim’s passion, however, was Track and Field. He began running at Archbishop Stepinac High School and then excelled at Iona College. Upon graduation he became a member of the Millrose Athletic Association. He ran in the first five-borough Marathon on October 24th, 1976 completing it in 2 hours and 37 minutes, placing 57th. He also ran the Yonkers Marathon that same year and finished in 2:38 coming in 8th. He continued running everyday well into his later years. In 1997 he placed first in his age group in the Yonkers Marathon. See more of his results at New York Road Runners website.
Beyond running, Jim was remarkable at remembering details making him a formidable trivia competitor, witty joke-teller and an excellent track official. He served as an official for fifty years for many organizations including: BOCES of Southern Westchester, Public School Athletic League, New Jersey Catholic Track Conference and Westchester Swimming and Diving. He held several leadership positions including Chairman of the Westchester Track Officials (1975-1978), Captain for the Westchester Road Runners Summer Series (1999), Chairman of Metropolitan Athletic Conference Masters LDR (2004) and Vice-Chairman of Northeast Officials of the US Association of Track Officials (2009). He published the Top Ten List for Westchester County and Section One High School record holders annually from 2011 to 2016. He was proud to be selected as an official for the famed Millrose Games in 2018.
He served in the Army from 1959 through 1963. He had a long career with the Westchester County Department of Social Services, where he worked until he retired in 2003
Jim has a philanthropic spirit, supporting his alma maters and many other charities. He was a member of Westchester and New York City Road Runners. He delivered meals to the homebound through the Eastchester Meals on Wheels program. In 2016 he was honored in the Westchester Senior Hall of Fame. He was also a member of and the Knights of Columbus Council in Tuckahoe.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn (McEnery), son David and daughter-in-law, Ailish (Thompkins), Debora and son-in-law Steve Ryba, and Douglas and daughter-in-law Jessica (Asceste) and seven beloved grandchildren, Oliver and Elliot Ryba, Matthew, Harper, Emerson, Madeline and Wesley Fillis.
Rest in peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Visiting hours are Monday January 4th from 2-6 pm and the Mass will be Tuesday, January 5th at Immaculate Conception Church at 9:30am. Inurnment will take place at Holy Mount Cemetery along with a celebration of his prosperous life later this year. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice or Immaculate Conception Church.
As a boy Jim rode and cared for horses as his father and grandfather before him. Jim’s passion, however, was Track and Field. He began running at Archbishop Stepinac High School and then excelled at Iona College. Upon graduation he became a member of the Millrose Athletic Association. He ran in the first five-borough Marathon on October 24th, 1976 completing it in 2 hours and 37 minutes, placing 57th. He also ran the Yonkers Marathon that same year and finished in 2:38 coming in 8th. He continued running everyday well into his later years. In 1997 he placed first in his age group in the Yonkers Marathon. See more of his results at New York Road Runners website.
Beyond running, Jim was remarkable at remembering details making him a formidable trivia competitor, witty joke-teller and an excellent track official. He served as an official for fifty years for many organizations including: BOCES of Southern Westchester, Public School Athletic League, New Jersey Catholic Track Conference and Westchester Swimming and Diving. He held several leadership positions including Chairman of the Westchester Track Officials (1975-1978), Captain for the Westchester Road Runners Summer Series (1999), Chairman of Metropolitan Athletic Conference Masters LDR (2004) and Vice-Chairman of Northeast Officials of the US Association of Track Officials (2009). He published the Top Ten List for Westchester County and Section One High School record holders annually from 2011 to 2016. He was proud to be selected as an official for the famed Millrose Games in 2018.
He served in the Army from 1959 through 1963. He had a long career with the Westchester County Department of Social Services, where he worked until he retired in 2003
Jim has a philanthropic spirit, supporting his alma maters and many other charities. He was a member of Westchester and New York City Road Runners. He delivered meals to the homebound through the Eastchester Meals on Wheels program. In 2016 he was honored in the Westchester Senior Hall of Fame. He was also a member of and the Knights of Columbus Council in Tuckahoe.
Jim is survived by his wife, Marilyn (McEnery), son David and daughter-in-law, Ailish (Thompkins), Debora and son-in-law Steve Ryba, and Douglas and daughter-in-law Jessica (Asceste) and seven beloved grandchildren, Oliver and Elliot Ryba, Matthew, Harper, Emerson, Madeline and Wesley Fillis.
Rest in peace. Well done, good and faithful servant.
Visiting hours are Monday January 4th from 2-6 pm and the Mass will be Tuesday, January 5th at Immaculate Conception Church at 9:30am. Inurnment will take place at Holy Mount Cemetery along with a celebration of his prosperous life later this year. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to a charity of your choice or Immaculate Conception Church.