James MacLaren Leddie of Woodbridge passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Roosevelt Care Center in Edison. He was 96 years old.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he came to the United States in 1947 and has resided in Woodbridge since 1959.

Mr. Leddie was part of what has become known to us as "the Greatest Generation" serving both his country and the world during World War II. Jim Leddie enlisted in the 7th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in 1939, as part of the British Army and a key component of the famed 51st Highland Division. During his seven years of infantry service, Leddie saw action at nearly every location where the British army fought during World War II. He fought as part of the doomed British Expeditionary Force that evacuated at Dunkirk and other English Channel ports in June of 1940, he was at El Alamein in Egypt in 1942, North Africa, the invasion of Sicily, Normandy and fought throughout France, Holland and into Germany. In 1946 he was demobilized and returned to civilian life. Jim's sacrifice of some of the best years of his youth insured that the world would remain free from tyranny.   Leddie was extremely proud of his service in the military and particularly his service as a Highlander, still identifying himself as an Argyll.

He was employed as a Black Seal Mechanic with National Lead in Sayreville for 24 years retiring in 1982.

He was a 50 year member of The First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge and the Golden Agers Club at the church.

He was predeceased by his wives Doris Gustavsen Leddie who passed away in 1969 and Gladys Sansone Leddie who passed away in 2005; and a sister May Sheehan who passed away in 1994.

He is survived by his son John Leddie and his wife Donna of Glen Gardner, NJ; his daughter Kathleen Petersen of Hillsborough; his step-daughter Lynn Loy of Morgan; five grandchildren, John Leddie, Erika Leddie, James Petersen, Lisa Petersen McDonnell and David Loy; and beloved nephews, Douglas Sheehan and family of New Brunswick, NJ and Harry Hainey and family of Ontario, Canada.

Funeral will take place Saturday, March 5, 2015 10:00 a.m. at Costello-Greiner Funeral Home ( www.Costello-Greiner.com ) 44 Green Street Woodbridge. Interment will be in Cloverleaf Memorial Park, Woodbridge.

Visiting hours will be Friday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to: The First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, 600 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.