Cover photo for James Francis Hartnett's Obituary

James Francis Hartnett

October 7, 1957 — August 4, 2025

Pearl River, NY

FDNY Lieutenant James Hartnett

FDNY Lieutenant James Hartnett of Pearl River, born October 7, 1957, died August 4, 2025. Jimmy was a 911 responder who succumbed to an illness related to the work he performed for a year on the “pile” at the World Trade Center. He passed away at home after receiving long-term, loving care from his family.

Jimmy was an uncomplicated, kindhearted man who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He grew up in the Bronx, where he excelled at basketball and playing his guitar. He later used his musical talents to join the FDNY band, ‘Jac and the Caucasians’. The band traveled throughout the country, raising funds that they donated to the NYC FDNY Burn Center. Jimmy completed the FDNY 343 bike ride in 2011 from Montauk to the Pentagon.

He was born in NYC to Irish immigrants, James and Bridget Hartnett. Jimmy's roots ran deep in the Bronx neighborhood where he grew up. Throughout his life, he maintained close contact with his classmates from St. Nicholas of Tolentine Grammar and High School. For the past fifty-two years, the Tolentine “rowdies” have made their annual pilgrimage to Bob Lander’s Skinners Falls campgrounds, where they spent many lazy summer days canoeing and reminiscing about fun days they shared of yesteryear. Jimmy was the happiest returning to the Bronx, where he spent years as a beloved Lieutenant assigned to Ladder 19. He was proud of his Irish roots and often returned to Ireland, where he visited family and was well-versed in playing guitar to many Irish ballads.

He treasured the moments he shared with his children, whom he loved mightily. He was keen on taking them for rides on the 4-train, packing a lunch, and taking them to the Woodstock museum or the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. Usually, his two nieces, Jamie and Jillian, accompanied them on these first-class excursions as their uncle was the first to welcome them home from China at the airport with so many balloons and flowers that it left little room for their car seats. Jimmy was most comfortable under the hood of an old jalopy that he was working on to repair. Jimmy was the master of duct tape, which he freely used to wrap the toes of his old work boots that were so threadbare they began ripping. These are the memories his family will cherish most.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Jean Elizabeth, a NYPD Sergeant who was also a 911 responder, his children, Erin Elizabeth, Ruairi James, and Ryan James. His family includes his brother, Donald; sister-in-law, Joan Hartnett; sister, Denise Ohrlein; brother-in-law, Mike McArdle; and 25 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, James & Bridget Hartnett, and his sister, Cathy McArdle.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to their caregiver, Julissa Sandoval; Dr. John Fitzpatrick of Highland Medical; Rockland United Hospice; Lt. Larry Mack and FF Thomas Hegman, along with their lifelong friends Mark, and Monica, Tom, Eddie, and Buddy, for their support and care. 

Lt. John Tyson, Truck 26, perfectly summed up a life well lived. “Jimmy was a great guy; even the assholes loved Jimmy.”

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc., 139 Stage Road, Monroe, NY 10950.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 am at St. Columba R.C. Church, 27 High Street, Chester, NY 10918.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed via livestream at https://my.gather.app/remember/james-hartnett

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation in honor of Lieutenant James Hartnett.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Francis Hartnett, please visit our flower store.

Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of James Francis Hartnett

Service Schedule

Upcoming Services

Visitation

Friday, August 8, 2025

4:00 - 8:00 pm (Eastern time)

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Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc.

139 Stage Road
Monroe, NY 10950

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

Mass

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)

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St. Columba R.C. Church

27 High Street
Chester, NY 10918

*Standard text messaging rates apply.

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