James Francis Gilhooley

James Francis Gilhooley of Remsenburg died November 15 of complications due to COVID 19. He was 95.

            In 1949, he set the world record for flat track in the 600 yard indoor run at the Pioneer Club Championships; this record still stands today.  He was  inducted into the New York University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.

He graduated from NYU’s School of Education in 1950 and was the star of the men's track team.  He ran anchor on two national championship teams.  He was five time Metropolitan Collegiate Champion, three time Metropolitan AAU champion and five-time Penn Relay Champion.  He was a member of two IC4A championship relay teams.

He coached track at Riverhead High School for 25 years leading teams to a 176-21 record with 86 straight victories from 1958-1974.  He steered his athletes to 16 consecutive league titles.  His teams won six sectional titles with four back-to-back championships from 1968-1971.  His teams had two first place finishes in Suffolk County Relays.  He retired as Riverhead High School Athletic Director.  He was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

He served in the US Army in 1950.  He was a great skier, swimmer and tennis player and had a passion for all sports.  He had a special love for the New York Giants and owned a seat for many years.

He was a member of the Swordfish Beach Club and The Westhampton Yacht Squadron.

He is survived by his wife Sally, sons James and John and daughter-in-law Dena.  In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate support for Independent Group Home Living, Manorville, New York.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 18, from 6:00-9:00 PM at Werner-Rothwell Funeral Home, located at 60 Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, November 19, at 11:00 AM, at Church of the Immaculate Conception, Westhampton Beach, NY. Interment will follow at Westhampton Cemetery.

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