James “Jake” Rugel was the older of two boys born to Mathias and Barbara Rugel. His parents emigrated from the part of Europe that is now Rumania. Jake and his brother Matthew attended grade school at Holy Trinity Church, a German national parish. He attended St. Mary’s High School in Rutherford where he was an excellent student and member of the Basketball team.

He made his decision to become a priest during high school and enrolled in Seton Hall University as a divinity student upon graduation. His first two years were spent in commuting to college in South Orange. The final two years of college were spent at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington. His four years of theological study were also completed at Darlington.

James J. Rugel was ordained a priest on June 15, 1946. In July he was assigned to St. Brendan’s parish in Clifton where he served for 14 years until he was given the assignment of creating Our Lady of the Valley parish. His pastor at St. Brendan’s, Msgr. Louis, at the time was heavily involved in diocesan work and gave much of the routine parish work to his new curate, as they were called in those days. This was the start of Fr. Rugel’s reputation as a capable administrator. It was also the time when he developed a strong interest in working with converts to Catholicism and the family life ministry. He moderated St. Brendan’s C.Y.O., started a CFM (Christian Family Movement) group that expanded beyond the parish and was appointed Diocesan Director of the Cana movement. In the latter capacity he organized the first diocesan Cana Council, got involved with the pre-Cana conferences and promoting Cana groups throughout the Diocese by holding Mr & Mrs Nights at any parish willing to sponsor one. Toward the end of this 14 year period, he helped to introduce another recently ordained curate to parish life. That young man turned out to be the future Bishop, Frank Rodimer. They became lifelong friends.

July 1, 1960 Fr. Rugel was appointed the Administrator of Our Lady of the Valley mission in Wayne. A year later the mission became a parish and Fr. Rugel became the pastor. The parish started with 9 ½ acres purchased by the diocese a few years earlier and a very energetic Pastor. Within three months the first building, 608 Valley Road, was acquired. Within two years the church and school were built. The first convent, 614 Valley Rd was purchased and soon after the multi-purpose hall, now the Fr. Rugel Hall, was completed.

In 1992, at age 72, Fr. Rugel made the decision to retire. So, on January 10, 1993, after 32 years of faithful service building Our Lady of the Valley parish, our Pastor retired. He did not completely retire but rather relinquished the task of administering a large parish. He was able to slow his pace, adjust his style of living and concentrate on being a priest. Initially he still celebrated Sunday Mass at a parish in Morris County and served as part-time Chaplin at St. Joseph Hospital.

Even though heart illness prohibited him from driving for a few months last year, with his usual determination he persisted in his recovery until he received a medical OK to drive and resume his regular activities on a reduced scale. He resumed celebrating Mass, serving as Chaplin at St. Joe’s and even exercising at a gym in Wayne.