Fr. James Kissane was born on June 29, 1965 in the Bronx, NY. He was the oldest of four children born to James and Sheila Kissane. In December 1976 the Kissane family moved to North Babylon, on Long Island. Fr. Jim attended SS. Cyrill and Methodius School in Deer Park and then St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School in West Islip. After high school he attended Cathedral College followed by The Seminary of the Immaculate Conception.
Fr. Jim was ordained a priest in May of 1992. His first assignment was at Our Lady of Loretto in Hempstead, NY. After several years in Hempstead he moved on to his second assignment at St. Anthony of Padua in East Northport, NY. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Anthony of Padua until he was assigned as Pastor of St. John of God in Central Islip. While at St. John of God, in 2007,
Fr. Jim was awarded the honor of Monsignor. An honor he so greatly deserved.
Fr. Jim’s life as a priest defined who he was. He was a man of the people, he was born to serve. He was loving, caring, and compassionate. He took the time to really listen and would do everything he could to comfort and console. During his time as a priest he served as Chaplain to several organizations, such as the Suffolk County Police Department, The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 2, and the Central Islip Fire Department. He also served on the board of Catholic Charities as well as the Tomorrows Hope Foundation.
On December 16, 2009 Fr. Jim lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. He passed away only 16 short days after his cancer diagnosis. He was 44 years old. Pancreatic cancer is a silent killer, often consuming the body before a diagnosis can even be made. Less than 5% of individuals who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are alive 5 years after diagnosis. The median survival rate is only 3-6 months.
The Lustgarten Foundation is committed to the development of an early diagnosis, treatment, and cure for pancreatic cancer. Lets take a stand for Fr. Jim and for the thousands of other undeserving people who lose their battle with this devastating disease before their time. The Lustgarten Foundation is funded by Cablevision insuring that 100% of all donations made go towards the research and development of treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer. The following page was created in Fr. Jim’s memory to raise money for this cause. Please make a donation and help battle this silent killer increasing someone’s chance of survival today.
 
                  In Loving Memory of Fr. James Kissane
www.lustgarten.org/jamesmkissane