Msgr. James F. Cox, parish priest and former vicar of Rockland County, died peacefully on Saturday, April 15, 2017 in Binghamton, NY.

Msgr. Cox was born in the Bronx, NY to Hannah Gilleran Cox and James Cox, immigrants from Ireland. He was the first boy baptized in Holy Rosary Parish where he later graduated from the parish school. He continued his education at Cathedral High School, New York and St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers. While in his last year at the seminary, his vocation to pastoral ministry became real through the grief he suffered at the death of his beloved mother. He is predeceased by his mother, Hannah; father, James; sister, Mary and husband, Edward Lacombe; sister, Marguerite and husband, Patrick Regan; sister, Gloria and husband, Joseph Stabach and sister-law, Rosemary Cox. Msgr. Cox is survived by his sister, Sr. Hannah Marie PBVM; brother, John and wife, Patricia; brother, Thomas and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

After his ordination on May 17, 1951, Monsignor was assigned to Annunciation Parish, Crestwood, NY. From there he transferred to St. Catherine's Parish, Blauvelt, NY where he volunteered to be chaplain to the 10,000 patients at Rockland State Hospital. For 32 years, he was dedicated to the residents and their families. While at Rockland, Msgr. Cox joined a rabbi and five lay men in donating $5 each to start a credit union for the workers at the hospital. This organization has grown to over 6,900 members and is known as the Rockland Employees Federal Credit Union.

Msgr. Cox was the first Vicar of Rockland County. He served for 15 years until, in 1986, he became the pastor of St. Mary's in Washingtonville, NY. The parishioners soon became family to him, and he cherished his ministry, especially working with the young families. He loved offering the children's Mass every Sunday. While at St. Mary's, he served as chaplain of the New York State Catholic Daughters.

As a young priest, Msgr. Cox marched with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, AL and Washington, DC and championed the struggle for social justice and human dignity throughout his priesthood.

Although, Msgr. Cox retired from pastoral duties at St. Joseph's, Croton Falls, NY, he continued to serve at several diocesan parishes. His love of nature and prayer found him retiring to a farm in Bainbridge, NY where he enjoyed quiet times and assisted in three parishes which were served by one priest. He lived and died loving his priesthood as he prepared to celebrate Holy Week at St. Boniface Church in Wesley Hills, NY.

Visitation will be held from 3pm - 8pm on Tuesday, April 18th at St. Mary's RC Church, 42 Goshen Avenue, Washingtonville, NY. His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan will offer a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, April 19th at 10am at St. Mary's RC Church. Funeral arrangements are by A.E. Brown Funeral Directors, Congers, NY. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY where Msgr. Cox will be buried with his parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Sisters of the Presentation, 84 Presentation Way, 880 Jackson Avenue, New Windsor, NY 12553; St. Dominic Home, 500 Western Hwy South, Blauvelt, NY 10913; St. Joseph's Seminary, 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704.
 
Published in the The Journal News on Apr. 18, 2017