James Patrick Rail went home to the Lord peacefully on July 17, 2022 at the age of 86.  He was at home in Massapequa surrounded by his family.  Jim, born in 1936, was the son of the late Thomas and Catherine Rail.  The second of five children, he grew up in Brooklyn, NY.  This is where he met his best friend and the love of his life, Kathleen Kennedy.  They married on October 21, 1961 and started their family, welcoming three sons over the next three years.  For more space and the suburban life they decide in 1965 to plant their roots in Massapequa. This is where they welcomed a fourth son to complete the family.  Jim built a simple but strong foundation for his children which was anchored by family, faith and friends.  Jim was always his happiest spending time with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  In 1960, Jim was appointed to the NYPD where he worked for 36 years.  Most of his tenure at the NYPD was with the Mounted Unit.  Jim loved his job but it paled in comparison to the love of his family.  In 2006, after the passing of his wife Kathleen, Jim became more involved at Saint Rose of Lima church, where he worshiped for over 50 years.  Jim worked as the weekday Sacristan and served as Eucharist Minister over the next several years.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathleen, and his sister Catherine.  Left to cherish his memory are sons: Thomas & Lynne and their daughter Erin; James & Lisa and their children James, Christopher, and Kaitlyn; Patrick & Doreen and their children Owen, Emily, and Grace; Sean & Jane and their sons Dylan, Donovan, and Anthony, as well as Jim’s siblings and their families: Thomas & Eileen Rail, Margaret & Gerard (deceased) Crennan, Joan & John Gardiner.  Jim’s family thanks the staff of Northwell Hospice Care Network and Northwell Plainview Hospital for the wonderful comfort and care provided to him during his final days.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of James Patrick Rail, please visit our Tribute Store.