James “Ferdie” Kauterman

James “Ferdie” Kauterman originally from Juniata Park, passed December 26, 2024.

Survived by his patient wife Dorothy (nee Stasen), his devoted children, Maria Watson (Gary), Stephanie Lash (Mark), James (Katie), and Kate Vessels (Louis), and he is the beloved Grandpop to Nicky, Joseph, Daniel, Sofia, Aubrey Quinn, and soon to be little Louie.  Also survived by his brother Thomas, sister Mary, many nieces and nephews, and multiple athletes he mentored and coached the past 50 years.

Jim was predeceased by his parents Blanche and Joseph Kauterman and his brother’s Joseph and John. 

Jim was a proud North Catholic grad, a 2019 Father Judge Hall of Fame inductee (yeah that North guy), a total girl Dad, the best Grandpop, he loved the Yankees and the Phillies, even when ‘they were stinking the place up”. Jim shared his love of Phillies sports with his kid’s and his grandkids.

Jim dedicated his time for the past 50 years coaching sports at multiple levels. First at Holy Innocents coaching JV and Varsity football as well as running the CYO, rec basketball teams, women’s softball leagues, football at his Alma mater, North Catholic, before finally joining the Father Judge football staff during the 1994-1995 season. During Jim’s time at Father Judge he coached football and worked in the weight lifting room where he shared vast sports and nutritional knowledge. 

Jim was loved and admired by many. He was known for his numerous nicknames for his kids and close friends, he loved a cold Rolling Rock or a shot of Jameson, and could always be counted on for telling the same stories over and over. Each time funnier than the last. He will surely be remembered by all who knew and loved him, all of his friends, all of his family and the many athletes who he had the pleasure to coach.

Relatives and friends are invited to Celebrate his life on Saturday January 4th from 9 AM to 11 AM in Holy Innocent’s Church 1337 E. Hunting Park Avenue.  His funeral mass will begin 11 AM. In lieu of flowers donations to Father Judge High School would be greatly appreciated by his family c/o FriendsofFatherJudge.com. 

Arrangements by McCafferty Sweeney Slabinski Barnes Funerals and Cremations, John Barnes Funeral Director, 215.333.0500.