Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Age 60, passed away unexpectedly on October 1, 2022, in Albany, New York. Jim was born on August 8, 1962, in Pittsburgh, PA, and was the son of Shirley (Barry) and the late James Charles Sweeney. Jim lived and breathed football. He was a proud Pittsburgh native and attended Seton-La Salle Catholic High School, where his football team won a WPIAL championship in 1979. He then continued to play football at the University of Pittsburgh before being drafted to the NFL in the second round (No. 37 overall) by the New York Jets in 1984. He played left guard and left tackle before becoming the team's full-time center from 1988 to 1994. His NFL career continued to flourish with the Seattle Seahawks and ultimately the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he retired proudly with his hometown team. He played 16 NFL seasons. Jim was inducted into the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2012, the New York Jets All-Time Four Decade Team in 2004, as well as the New York Jets All-Time team in 2020. Jim's love of the sport continued after retirement, coaching for Duquesne University, Peters Township High School, and South Fayette High School (winning a WPIAL championship in 2010) before taking a full-time coaching position at the University at Albany in 2014. He coached hundreds of young men and passed down his love and knowledge of the game to each of them. He spoke of his players fondly and often. Outside of football, Jim was a father of five first, to Shannon Paige (28), Liam Richard (25), Aislinn Neev (21), Kilian Trace (11), and Teagan Kylie (8). His children remember most his snarky sense of humor, his love for cooking (and making the world's best school lunches, complete with handwritten notes), and his unconditional love for his family. His kids knew he would do absolutely anything at any moment to make sure they felt loved, safe, and cared for. Jim will be remembered most for his constant generosity, his compassion, and his helpful nature. He was incredibly selfless, always helping those around him and never asking any questions or for anything in return, all he wanted to do in life was take care of and provide for the people around him. Jim is survived by his adoring wife, Julie (Gedeon) Sweeney; and his five children, Shannon Sweeney, Liam Sweeney, Aislinn Sweeney, Kilian Sweeney, and Teagan Sweeney; as well as his dear siblings, Kathleen Mattern, Michael Sweeney, and Colleen Sweeney. Family and friends are invited and may call from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at John F. Slater Funeral Home, located at 4201 Brownsville Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15227. A Liturgy of the Word by Bishop David Bonnar, a lifelong friend of Jim's, will begin at 2 p.m. Additionally, A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 22 at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 2001 Route 9, Round Lake, NY 12151. Arrangements are entrusted to John F. Slater Funeral Home, 4201 Brownsville Rd., Pittsburgh, PA, 15227, and TOWNLEY & WHEELER FUNERAL HOME, 21 Midline Road, Ballston Lake, and they encourage you to view and leave messages on Jim's Book of Memories at www.TownleyWheelerFH.com and www.johnfslater.com/ In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to American Bulldog Rescue: americanbulldogrescue.org Or consider a donation to Northeast Avian Rescue: rescueparrots.org