James G. Hyland, attorney, teacher and music enthusiast, at the age of 66

James G. Hyland, Amityville resident, attorney and bass player for a number of local bands died on May 23, 2023. He was 66 years old. Mr. Hyland was born on September 15, 1956 in Queens to James M. and Patricia (O'Hara) Hyland. He is a graduate of LIU Post (C.W. Post College) and Pace University Law School, receiving his J.D. in the class of 1983.

Mr. Hyland was an attorney for Liberty Land Abstract in Queens with over 25 years of experience as an attorney in the title insurance industry. He acted as the Agency Underwriting Counsel at Stewart Title Insurance Company, Branch Counsel at Chicago Title Insurance Company and as counsel to various title insurance agencies in the New York metropolitan area.

In addition to his law career, Mr. Hyland also taught in paralegal programs at Briarcliffe College and Adelphi University and presented lectures for the New York State Land Title Association.

"Former students and colleagues all remarked how he was really good about taking the time to teach them how to understand the law," said his daughter Megan Hyland. "He was never too busy for a question and took a lot of pride in his job."

Former colleague Binish Anjum looked to Mr. Hyland as he began his career as a practicing attorney as he was regarded as someone with a wealth of knowledge.

"When I started practicing as an attorney, senior lawyers in the firm always told me to call Mr. Hyland when there was a question no one knew the answer to," said Anjum. "In his soft-spoken, well thought out responses, his kindness and wisdom were always evident and I have the utmost respect for Mr. Hyland; he will truly be missed."

His daughter said that he was always conscious of the legacy he wanted to leave behind. "He was mindful of his legacy plan and took pride in working hard and doing the right thing."

Mr. James Hyland married Barbara Whiteway in March of 1985. "He and my mom were best friends," said his daughter. "They were a true partnership and loved traveling, going to concerts and were always on the go."

His daughter said that one of his great passions outside of law was music. He began playing the bass guitar in high school and continued to play music throughout his adult life for a number of different bands across Amityville and Long Island. "He liked classic rock," said his daughter. "He was a big fan of the Grateful Dead and the Allman Brothers. He spontaneously got up with the band at my wedding and sang 'American Girl' by Tom Petty. Everyone went wild and it is one of the best memories of my life." He was also a huge New York sports fan and loved the Mets, Rangers and Jets.

His daughter said that her father had a robust social life and kept in touch with friends he had since childhood, which was important to him. "I was moved by all the people who came to his wake and all the deep sentiments they shared about how he had impacted their lives personally," she said. "A lot of them were so emotional and repeated how he was a really good person who took the time to help anyone and everyone."

Megan remembers her father as someone who was "always present" for her and her sister, and who even coached their soccer teams. "He was the funniest person I ever met, so quick witted and smart," said his daughter. "He was a serious guy but never took things too seriously."

His daughter also said her father was someone who continually looked for the best in people. "Anybody he met he thought of as a potential friend," she said. "He was also a dedicated and involved grandfather who loved to spend time with his two grandsons. He was just always there for his family; we knew we could count on him for anything and everything."

Mr. Hyland is predeceased by his wife Barbara Hyland, his brother Neil Hyland and his father James M. Hyland.

He is survived by his daughters Megan Hyland Quinn and her husband Colin of Duxbury, Massachusetts and Chloe Hyland of Manhattan; his grandsons, Wells and James Quinn; his mother Patricia Hyland of Massapequa; his sisters: Jacqueline Spiro and her husband Daniel of Amityville and Patricia Norum of Suffern, New York; his nieces and nephews, Joseph Hyland, Molly and Kate Spiro and Matthew and Kiernan Norum.

He reposed at Powell Funeral Home Inc. at 67 Broadway in Amityville. Wake prayers were conducted there by Deacon Larry McPartland and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Martin of Tours RC Church in Amityville officiated by Father Gerard Gordon and assisted by the Consolation Ministry and members of the family on May 27, 2023. Interment followed at Grace Church Cemetery in Massapequa.