James F. Mountain

James F. Mountain, age 77 of Wilmington, Delaware passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 from Lewy Body Dementia. He was born in Altoona, PA on July 9, 1939, and was the son of the late Rodney and Marion (Cox) Mountain of Bellwood, PA. Jim earned his Bachelors in Education from Shippensburg University, and his Masters in Education from the University of Delaware. He began his teaching career at Henrik J. Krebs School in Newport, Delaware before transferring to A.I. duPont High School where he taught English for 31 years. Jim’s love of literature resulted in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet being his favorite subject to teach. He coached football, cross country, track and field, and traveled around the world with the A.I. duPont marching band from the Vatican to the Rose Bowl. Jim was a loyal fan and advocate of his student’s plays, concerts and sporting events. He retired in 2001 stating It only took him 56 years to graduate from high school. Jim was known for his mellow presence, stubbornness, off the wall sense of humor and quick wit. He was an observer of life, who created his own path, disregarding any ˜do not enter’ signs along the way. Jim took pleasure in the simple things, such as walking his dogs, reading, sports, poetry, summer road trips to Maine with his family, regaling his kids with fantastical stories, fishing with son Joe on the Brandywine, Creamery runs with Liz and Dave, ketchup on eggs, riding his bike, attending grandson Ryan’s games, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, classic rock, playing cards with the group, visiting old friends and family in Bellwood, PA. and swimming laps at the U of D with Ed and the rest of the pool posse. He was an ice cream enthusiast, who was particularly fond of turtle sundaes and milkshakes, and would never say no to a ˜sumptuous repast’. Jim was a lifelong fan of Penn State and Pitt football, long walks, fall leaves, and was an expert at the afternoon nap. He is survived by his wife Lucinda J. (Sharer) Mountain; son Joseph, his wife Tera and their son Ryan; daughter Elizabeth, and her husband David Reagen; daughter Cindy and her husband, Matt Caporuscio and their children Jamie(Roger)Alvelais and their son Matteo, Lyndsey and Jenna(Clay)Sholly. Jim left this world with quiet strength and dignity and will be sorely missed by his family, friends and his furry best buddies, Molly and Apollo. Services and burial will be private. If you wish, in Jim’s memory, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 16 Polly Drummond Center, 2nd Floor, Newark, DE 19711 or to the Delaware Humane Association, 701 A Street, Wilmington, DE 19801. Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow. – Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet.