James R. “Jim” Dunne, 85, of Red Bank, passed away on Saturday, August 22. Born in Jersey City to Cecilia and Luke Dunne, Jim moved with his family to Keansburg at an early age, where he was raised and remained deeply connected to the community. In 1987, he settled in Holmdel, where he lived until …
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James R. “Jim” Dunne, 85, of Red Bank, passed away on Saturday, August 22.
Born in Jersey City to Cecilia and Luke Dunne, Jim moved with his family to Keansburg at an early age, where he was raised and remained deeply connected to the community. In 1987, he settled in Holmdel, where he lived until 2004 before making his home in Red Bank, NJ. Jim was the longtime owner and operator of Dom’s Deli in Holmdel, a beloved local landmark he proudly ran from 1979 to 2004.
Jim was a man whose life was defined by family, friends, community, service, loyalty, and heart. A devoted public servant, he was a proud volunteer firefighter and served for many years as deputy chief of Holmdel Fire Company #1. Jim was not only a life member and current company president, he was a steady presence, a mentor, and a friend. His leadership extended beyond those walls, serving as secretary for both theHolmdel Township Firemen’s Relief Association and the Holmdel Township Exempt Firemen’s Association, and as Deputy Fire Chief for many years.
Jim’s dedication to Holmdel was matched only by his devotion to his country as a United States Navy veteran, a Vietnam‑era sailor who proudly served aboard the USS Mahan. His service reflected the same commitment, courage, and integrity he carried throughout his life.
Many knew Jim from Dom’s Deli, where his kindness, humor, and warm personality made every visit memorable. Dom’s Deli was the “Cheers” of Holmdel, where everyone knew your name, and patrons were treated like family.
Jim and his wife Terry were also known for their extraordinary generosity, especially during the holidays. They always kept an extra table set at their home, welcoming anyone who might be spending the day alone, working a public‑service shift, or simply needing a warm place to stop in. For Jim and Terry, no holiday was complete unless everyone had somewhere to go. Their kindness turned countless ordinary days into moments of connection, and their deli into a home for the community.
Jim also cherished his weekends each summer at his home, affectionately named “The Escape”, on Lake Wallenpaupack in Greentown, Pennsylvania. He loved spending long, lazy days cruising on his pontoon boat with friends and family, soaking in the sunshine, enjoying the water, and embracing the peaceful rhythm of lake life. Those moments on the boat were among his happiest, a place where he could relax, laugh, and share time with the people he loved most.
Jim also enjoyed a long career as a skilled electrician, bringing the same reliability and generosity to his work that he brought to every part of his life.
Jim is reunited with his wife Theresa, his parents, his baby brother Matt, and his granddaughter Jeremi Lynn Teixeira Mora. We hold his family in our hearts as we honor a man who gave so much of himself to all of us.
He is survived by his children: Bill Hadash of Red Bank; Sharon Salm of Freehold; and Alexis and her husband Paul Flanagan of Upton, MA. He also leaves behind his sister Patricia Baiersdorfer; grandchildren Caitlin and Liam; great‑grandchildren Lucia and Xander; loving nieces and nephews; cousins Jamie and Pam D’Anna and Frank and Julie Spinello; and dear friends Tom Kinlin and Tom Jennings—friends since the 5th grade, with whom he often traveled to his beloved Ireland. Jim was deeply proud of his Irish heritage, and those trips were among his most cherished memories.
Visitation will be held Friday, August 28, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Saturday, August 29, at 10:30 AM at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. Burial will follow at Holmdel Cemetery, Holmdel.
In lieu of traditional remembrances, the family gratefully requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital(www.stjude.org).
Rest peacefully, Jim. You were the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and mentor to many, and you served with honor. You will be remembered with love. 🙏
Amy Hirsch
left a message on August 28, 2026:
Jimmy, you were my friend for almost 17 years. A gentleman, with a terrific smile and a lust for life. We never were at a loss for words, just talking about family, friends, and fire and first aid, Jim with Holmdel and myself with Little Silver. We joined the same year, which is 45 yrs. always getting involved. RIP dear Jim and say hi to Terry for me. God bless.
Love, Amy
Victoria Woolley Parry
left a message on August 28, 2026:
Our deepest condolences to Jim’s family on the loss of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, stellar member of the community, and faithful Catholic.
I was blessed to have known Jim growing up in Holmdel, and I will never forget Alexis’s wedding and the father-daughter dance. Jim’s tears of joy and sadness that Terry was not there said everything about a man who knew true love and carried it deeply in his soul.
As fellow Catholics, my family and I have been praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary for Jim, and we have also arranged Gregorian Masses with Nigerian priests for the repose of his soul.
May Jesus, Mary and Joseph, his guardian angel, all the saints, and all his loved ones welcome him into eternal rest. May perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Victoria Domena
left a message on August 28, 2026:
R.I.P. 593
Jimmy, you weren't just my deputy chief, you were family to me. You were one of the few in the company who believed in me right from the start that I would become a good firefighter and helped me become one. Thank you for that, it meant a lot to me.
Rest easy brother we've got it from here. Now you and 594 (Chief Pontrelli) can run heavens fire department.
Mark fiederowicz
left a message on August 27, 2026:
RIP many good time at Dom,s
Carol Wilusz
left a message on August 26, 2026:
For so many years Jim was the smiling face at the Holmdel Deli! Many of us who worked in the neighborhood went there to buy lunch… Or have a party catered. He dated my friend Terriy Hadash for years… (until her untimely death) Our office thought they were grand together. My husband Bill and I lived in town with our family and when he retired from being a professional fireman in Union County he volunteered with the Holmdel Fire Dept along with my son Greg …they got to know Jim well, enjoying that special camaraderie . Time passes, but people like Jim will always be remembered fondly.! Rest in peace Jim!’
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Woody
left a message on August 24, 2026:
In memory of James "Jim" R Dunne, Woody lit a candle
Woody
left a message on August 24, 2026:
Rest in peace fire chief and friend, you will be missed Jimmy.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Amy Hirsch
left a message on August 28, 2026:
Jimmy, you were my friend for almost 17 years. A gentleman, with a terrific smile and a lust for life. We never were at a loss for words, just talking about family, friends, and fire and first aid, Jim with Holmdel and myself with Little Silver. We joined the same year, which is 45 yrs. always getting involved. RIP dear Jim and say hi to Terry for me. God bless.
Love, Amy
Victoria Woolley Parry
left a message on August 28, 2026:
Our deepest condolences to Jim’s family on the loss of a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, stellar member of the community, and faithful Catholic.
I was blessed to have known Jim growing up in Holmdel, and I will never forget Alexis’s wedding and the father-daughter dance. Jim’s tears of joy and sadness that Terry was not there said everything about a man who knew true love and carried it deeply in his soul.
As fellow Catholics, my family and I have been praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet and the Rosary for Jim, and we have also arranged Gregorian Masses with Nigerian priests for the repose of his soul.
May Jesus, Mary and Joseph, his guardian angel, all the saints, and all his loved ones welcome him into eternal rest. May perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Victoria Domena
left a message on August 28, 2026:
R.I.P. 593
Jimmy, you weren't just my deputy chief, you were family to me. You were one of the few in the company who believed in me right from the start that I would become a good firefighter and helped me become one. Thank you for that, it meant a lot to me.
Rest easy brother we've got it from here. Now you and 594 (Chief Pontrelli) can run heavens fire department.
Mark fiederowicz
left a message on August 27, 2026:
RIP many good time at Dom,s
Carol Wilusz
left a message on August 26, 2026:
For so many years Jim was the smiling face at the Holmdel Deli! Many of us who worked in the neighborhood went there to buy lunch… Or have a party catered. He dated my friend Terriy Hadash for years… (until her untimely death) Our office thought they were grand together. My husband Bill and I lived in town with our family and when he retired from being a professional fireman in Union County he volunteered with the Holmdel Fire Dept along with my son Greg …they got to know Jim well, enjoying that special camaraderie . Time passes, but people like Jim will always be remembered fondly.! Rest in peace Jim!’
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Woody
left a message on August 24, 2026:
In memory of James "Jim" R Dunne, Woody lit a candle
Woody
left a message on August 24, 2026:
Rest in peace fire chief and friend, you will be missed Jimmy.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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