ALBANY — A local union man affectionately known as “Jimmy,” remembered for his big Irish grin and an even bigger heart, died suddenly in his Florida home on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

James John Carroll Jr., born on Nov. 10, 1940, was 84 years old.

“He wore many hats, both literally and figuratively,” his family wrote in a tribute, “as a father, a friend, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a business agent, a union worker, a sportsman, an Elks member, and many other various titles and tributes.

“Loved by many, he will be missed by all.   

“James sat with pride at the head of a large family table and helped raise and provide for his nine children during a life filled with laughter, adventure, charity, and love. He was also a mentor and father figure to many outside of his household.

“Above all else, James worked tirelessly for the benefit of others.

“As an avid outdoorsman, James owned a cabin in the Adirondacks as well as rural homes in upstate New York where he enjoyed his time with friends and family. He was as comfortable harvesting game and fish as he was relaxing on a boat or watching sporting events and old Western movies.

“James grew up in the Albany area with his siblings and worked various jobs in both upstate New York and Florida. He eventually settled back in the Capital District in the 1960s and married Lorraine (Labunski) Starks.

“As his family grew quickly over the next two decades, they moved to Ravena and James joined the Local #40 Heat and Frost Insulators Union, where his father and then several of his sons were also employed. He worked both locally and nationally for many years, and as a teacher to apprentices, before retiring as the Local #40 business agent and moving to Clearwater, Florida.

“James was an active lifetime member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, becoming the Exalted Ruler of Bethlehem Lodge #2233 in 1979/1980. He was also active with Lodge #49 in Albany before joining Dunedin-Clearwater Lodge #1525, where he will be deeply missed.”

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James John Carroll Jr. is survived by his children, William Carroll, Michael Carroll, Michele Francis (Stephen), Jason Carroll (Martina), and Jarrett Carroll (Rachel), and by his siblings, William Carroll, Nancy Myers, and Katherine Rohrer.

He is also survived by many grandchildren who truly loved and adored him, as well as numerous great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; cousins; extended family; and his union and fraternal brothers and sisters.

His parents, James Carroll and Katherine (née Campbell) Carroll, died before him, as did his wife, Lorraine; and his sons, James Carroll, Christopher Carroll, George Starks, and Stephen Starks.

A public funeral viewing will be held at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Ave., Albany, 12205, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24.

A funeral service will be held in the funeral home directly after, followed by family interment at Calvary Cemetery in Glenmont.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of B.P.O. Elks.