Father Borstelmann was pastor at St. Joseph in Croton Falls and St. Colman in East Kingston, a chaplain at Rockland State Hospital, and at Bronx Developmental Center for 40 years.
Rev. James E. Borstelmann, 84, entered eternal life on Sunday, December 28, 2025, surrounded by friends and family. Born June 27, 1941, he was the beloved son of the late Fred and Frances (Leonard) Borstelmann.
Priesthood and parish ministry
Father Jim was ordained to the priesthood on May 27, 1967, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. He served in many parishes and loved connecting with everyone: St. Catharine in Blauvelt, St. John in Kingsbridge, Bronx, St. Joseph in Bronxville, and St. Brendan in the Bronx. He was pastor at St. Joseph in Croton Falls and St. Colman in East Kingston. In addition, he was a chaplain at Rockland State Hospital while he was in Blauvelt and also at Bronx Developmental Center for 40 years.
Celtic Rovers and beyond
Because of their love of bringing people together and their adventurous spirit of travel, he and Sister Mary Mazza, CND, started the Celtic Rovers Travel Club that connected people across the globe and gave them an experience and appreciation of different cultures and lands. After his active parish ministry, Father Jim served a three-year ministry term with Food for the Poor and traveled to various U.S. Catholic churches on their behalf. In 2018, he and Sister Mary began an outreach ministry, Beyond Church Walls, to welcome those searching for God and community.
Father Jim is survived by his sister Jean Talbot, his brother-in-law Joseph Talbot, and his sister-in-law Joan Borstelmann. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Robert Borstelmann, Eugene Borstelmann, Mark Borstelmann, Rose Starin, Gregory Borstelmann, Karen Crawford, Colleen Jacques, Christian Talbot, Kate Larson, Carole Schulze, Joseph Miele, Marie Miele, Ginny Miele Carlino, and Michael Miele.
In addition to his parents, Father Jim was predeceased by siblings Richard Borstelmann, Ann Miele, Robert Borstelmann, his siblings-in-law Kathleen Borstelmann and Joseph Miele, and nephews Joseph Borstelmann, Kevin Borstelmann, Stephen Borstelmann, Lawrence Borstelmann, and James Borstelmann.
RECEPTION OF THE BODY AND WAKE ⦁ LYING IN REPOSE
Monday, January 5, 2026 ⦁ 2-4 p.m.
Church of St. Colman
18 Brigham Street
East Kingston, NY 12401
845-382-1133
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 ⦁ 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Church of St. Joseph
95 Plum Brook Road
Somers, NY 10589 ⦁ 914-232-2910
Entrusted to the care of the Clark Associates Funeral Home, Katonah
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Tuesday, January 6, 2026 ⦁ 12:30 PM
Church of St. Joseph
95 Plum Brook Road
Somers, NY 10589
914-232-2910
Most Reverend Edmund J. Whalen, principal celebrant
Monsignor Thomas Kelly, homilist
INTERMENT
St. Joseph Cemetery, Somers
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Joseph V. Leahy Funeral Home, Inc., 27 Smith Avenue, Kingston, and Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah.
Editor’s note: This obituary was updated on January 2, 2026, to list additional family members, both surviving and pre-deceased.