James J. Clauss

James J. Clauss was born on Aug. 9, 1926, in Lake Ariel, Pa., to Harvey and Alice (Fadden) Clauss, the fourth of five children (Harvey Jr., Thomas, Gretchen and Peter, all of whom preceded him in death). In 1948, he married his beloved, Marion Lynch, with whom he had five children, Mary Alice, Sister Kathryn, I.H.M, Mari Acculto (John Acculto), Jim Jr. (Louise Betti) and Becki Wick (David Wick), and last year celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. Jim is the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren, Katie Beckage, Rebecca Kratz, John Acculto Jr., Jamie McNerney, Chris Acculto, Jerry Clauss, Michael Clauss, Lizzie Clauss, Graham Wick, James Wick and Marion Clare Wick; five great-grandchildren, Olivia and Ian Beckage, Anna Acculto and Patrick and John McNerney; 35 nieces and nephews and well over 100 grandnieces and grandnephews, with more and more great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews on the way.

Jim grew up in Olyphant where he was co-captain of the football team, served as president of the senior class and graduated from Olyphant High School in 1943. After service in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, he completed a BA degree in philosophy at the University of Scranton in 1947. In the years ahead, he received an MA in religious studies from Marywood University. After college, he worked for the Harleysville Insurance Company in Philadelphia, after which he served as branch manager for Prudential Insurance Company in Honesdale and then formed the Clauss Insurance Agency in the 1950s, which has been located in Olyphant ever since. In addition to the Insurance Agency, Jim founded Northeastern Fire Insurance Company in the 1960s, and was proprietor of the Castle Restaurant from 1972-79, among other successful business ventures.

Among his many activities, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus (fourth degree, Olyphant), the Scranton Country Club, the Jewish Community Center of Scranton, the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Serra Club, Rotary Club, Pennsylvanians for Human Life, and SS. Clare and Paul Parishes. Among his honors, he received the Lion of Judah Peace Award from the State of Israel, for which then-mayor James McNulty proclaimed May 23, 1982, as "James Clauss Day," the Phidias Award through the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Scranton and the Frank O'Hara Award from the University of Scranton for public service. He was also honored by the Jewish Home of Pennsylvania for his many services. Jim served on numerous boards and councils, including director of the United Way of Lackawanna County, president of the Scranton Neighbors, chairman of the Mayor's Conservation Committee, Board of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation, co-chairman of the University of Scranton Presidents Club Fund Drive, director of the North Scranton Bank and Trust Co., Board of Directors of Marywood University, president of Birth Right, and also in various capacities he worked on behalf of the United Jewish Campaign, St. Francis of Assisi Soup Kitchen, Red Cross, Scranton YMCA and Tissue Bank. Jim is also the author of two books, "The Civil Justice System: Neither Civil nor Just" and 'I Believe That I May Know, I Know that I May Believe."

Jim Clauss will be best remembered for his remarkable generosity of time and resources to numerous individuals, institutions and social and religious causes, dedicated service to local communities, faithful commitment to the Roman Catholic Church, yet loving outreach to peoples of other faiths, and devotion to his immediate and extended family. While those who know him will miss his dynamic presence, his family embraces the hope that he will live on in the model he challenges us all to imitate: generosity, service, faith, commitment, outreach and devotion.

Friends and family may call today from 2 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 10 until 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Church. A Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11 a.m. in St. Paul's Church, 1510 Penn Ave., Scranton, Pa., with interment with military honors thereafter at St. Catherine's Cemetery, Covington Twp., Pa.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of I.H.M. Retirement Fund, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.

For online condolences, please visit www.duffyandsnowdon.com.