James R. Plate

James “Jim” Plate lived a life defined by generosity, humility, love, and humor. A loving husband who made his wife feel cherished each and every day, devoted, supportive father and stepfather, and treasured grandfather who always had their backs 100%— Jim made the time to touch and enhance so many lives through his inability to ever put himself before anyone else.

Jim had that rare gift for giving without ever expecting anything in return, stocked with wisdom, insight, and sheer talent, which he quietly and most humbly shared. Jimmy was a very funny man with a dry sense of humor, steady nature, and ability to face life’s challenges without letting them define him.

A natural athlete, Jim excelled in football, baseball, and basketball at Seton Hall High School in the early 1960s, serving as captain of all three teams. In 1965, he became the first Seton Hall basketball player to score 1,000 points and was named Suffolk County Student Athlete of the Year — the first private school student to receive the honor.

Jim earned a full basketball scholarship to St. John's University as the very first recruit of legendary coach Lou Carnesecca. After a serious automobile accident, which limited and prevented him from ever playing for “Louie,” he remained the team Captain. He continued his education and basketball career at Niagara University, later becoming assistant coach to Frank Layden.

After graduation, Jim built two successful businesses in New Jersey, including inventing a back brace that Mother Teresa wore, before he returned to New York in 2001 to spend the rest of his life with his wife, Dorothy. After retiring, he went back to his real love, coaching basketball and mentoring young people at St. John the Baptist High School in 2004, creating a championship team from freshman through their graduation to win the first NYS title for St John the B. in their forty-year history. Jim’s “boys” all went on to quality colleges and have remained in touch with Coach Plate to date.

Jim’s greatest gift was mentoring young people and helping them see their own potential. He believed deeply in education, hard work, and opportunity. Quietly and without recognition, he paid tuition for students in need, covered SAT preparation costs, and helped many young athletes pursue scholarships.

An excellent three golf handicap, his horse, Armbro Goal, won the 1988 Hambletonian, making history for brokering a multi-million dollar deal for sire rights while in the winning circle.

His best friend, Kevin Foley, was pivotal, along with his brother Christopher Plate, cousin Mary Alice Byrnes, and Barbara Hahn, in the successful campaign to elect Jim to the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame

For the better part of forty years, Jim credited his successes and accomplishments to his faithful friend, Bill W., garnering the respect and friendship of hundreds who fondly know him as “Jimmy donuts”. Every life he touched was made all the better, and Jim will be sorely missed, lovingly remembered, and forever appreciated by us all.

He is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Mary Plate, and his brother Chris.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his children Jennifer, Allison, and Jeff, his step-daughter Cathy, and many grandchildren whom he cherished and was known to lovingly as “Poppa.”

Family will receive visitors Wednesday, May 20th 2 – 4:30 & 7 – 9:30 p.m. at Raynor & D’Andrea Funeral Home 245 Montauk Hwy. West Sayville. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, May 21st 10:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence RC Church 240 W. Main Street Sayville. Followed by interment in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.