Obituary of James A. McGill

James A. McGill    

It is with a very heavy heart I share the news that my dear brother James Andrew Neville McGill, 58, of Gladwyne, PA passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. 

James was a truly wonderful person with a heart of gold, no stranger to adversity, and a possessor of many talents as his varied careers attested to - notably in Restaurant Hospitality, Car Sales, Information Technology and the Legal Profession. He treasured the company of friends and family along with playing golf, tending to his tropical fish and in recent years drone piloting.

James was born on October 20, 1966, in Reading, England, the son of the late Charles and Mona (Kearney) McGill. He came to America when he was 14 in the loving care of Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jack, after losing Mum. They embraced him as part of their family along with their own children – Mary, Anne and John. 

James was a talented athlete breaking track records in his high school years at St Pius X - he graduated in 1984 having gained a track scholarship to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

James had a career in fine dining for 17 years. He got his start at the Montagu Arms a historical Inn and Restaurant in England (dating back to the 16thcentury). In the States he was the Sommelier at the historic Dilworthtown Inn in West Chester PA. Following this he was the general manager of Jakes Restaurant in Manayunk and finishing as general manager at the Stiped Bass in Philadelphia. All these restaurants were at their heights while James was with them. 

James was in the car industry for 13 years. He got his start in sales at the Piazza Acura of West Chester where he rose to become their general sales manager. 

Then in 2018, James entered the cloud software industry. He co-founded Cloud Level with his friends John and Caroleigh Deneen. As a cloud solution architect, he engineered a payment system. There was nothing James could not do. 

During the last two years, James worked as a paralegal for the law firm of Rudolph Celli in Wayne, where he quickly learned to provide estate administration services. 

James had been living in Gladwyne for the past year, having previously resided in Villanova with his dear friends the Deneen family for over 25 years. He was loved and regarded by the Deneens as Uncle James, an integral part of their family. Apart from 5 years living in England after leaving college, had spent the best part of 40 years in the States.

James leaves behind his sister Jackie Mackie of Newbury, UK along with his nephew, Carl, his great nephew Arthur, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was a loved and trusted friend to many, his presence in our lives was a gift. He will be missed very much.

James’s funeral service will be held on Saturday February 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Moore, Snear & Ruggierio Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA.19428

Friends may gather on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at the funeral home.

James’s final resting place will be in England. 

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to The Children’s Heart Foundation https://www.childrensheartfoundation.org/

Arrangements by Moore, Snear & Ruggiero Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, (610) 828-0330.
www.msrfh.com.