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BORN
1945
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
James Weege Obituary
James Francis Weege, a much-loved veterinarian and longtime resident of Ocean Ridge, died suddenly on October 22, 2022. He was 77.
Dr. Weege was an active, practicing vet until the day before his death. He is survived by his wife, Susan (nee Ross).
The couple were active members of the Ocean Ridge Garden Club and his commitment to the town was long-standing and generous. There is a plaque acknowledging his dedication to the care and maintenance of the beautiful koi pond at Town Hall.
Dr. Weege grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a doctorate in veterinary medicine.
His love of the ocean and expertise in reptile health ultimately landed him in South Florida, where he had a 30-year affiliation with Florida Atlantic University and research projects with sea turtles.
Dr. Weege’s oversight of the sea turtle’s health at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center enabled no fewer than 20 masters of science and Ph.D. students, along with several hundred undergrad students, to pursue their sea turtle studies. Dr. Weege was magnanimous in sharing his time, knowledge and boat to help with off-shore turtle releases.
He was able to assist an international film crew get to just the key spot to film turtles at sea. The feature-length film Turtle: The Incredible Journey was released in 2009.
Dr. Weege built the building and practice at Colonial Animal Hospital on Woolbright Road in Boynton Beach in the mid ’70s, where he practiced for 30 years. He was the only local vet who took care of all kinds of animals, including reptiles.
Dr. Robert Martin, who now runs the practice after purchasing it from Dr. Weege in 2004, recalls a shared love of the outdoors which was always a common thread for their friendship. “I loved him and will always respect what he accomplished at Colonial Animal Hospital. It was his invention and he developed a huge following at that location,” he said. “He will be remembered for his kindness and compassion when dealing with his animal patients and their families. He was truly a 24/7 veterinarian, answering calls on the weekends and often taking sick animals home to be tended.”
Martin said working with Dr. Weege was a great experience, and as the years went by, he noticed how Dr. Weege understood his role in the human-animal bond and the desire to establish and maintain client relationships.
“This is why so many clients saw him as a friend and not just their trusted veterinarian.” Martin said. “The East Boynton Beach, Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach communities have lost an amazing man.”
Dr. Weege was a passionate hunter, fisherman and diver, and a 28-year member of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Gertrude Weege of Ixonia, Wisconsin and nine of his 11 siblings.
In addition to his wife, Dr. Weege is survived by his brother Patrick (Phyllis) of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin and sister Sandra (James) Pritzlaff of Dousman, Wisconsin. He is also survived by his sons Brad (Jennifer) Weege of Denver and Stephen (Patricia) Weege of Port St. Lucie, stepson Andre Walia, stepdaughter Lauren (Corey) Funk, and six grandchildren: Gavin, Andrew, Nicholas, Blake, Mason and Brooke.
Dr. Weege will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Many stories have been posted on the Lorne and Sons Funeral Home website, where associates have written about their shared experiences.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Ocean Ridge Town Hall, 6450 North Ocean Blvd. on November 26, 2022. The family will receive friends from 10:30am to 11:00am with an 11:00am Memorial Service. A Gathering and Repast will immediately follow at the Ocean Ridge Town Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Gumbo Limbo Coastal Stewards by visiting www.gumbolimbo.org/donate. Choose "Dedicate This Gift" and put James Weege in the box that says "Who do you want to recognize?".
Memories and Condolences
for James Weege
14 Entries
Ken Sarra
January 20, 2026
My Beagle Sable was seen by Doc. Weege from the time he was a puppy until 10 years old. After developing bladder cancer when he was 10, he started going into epileptic convulsions in the middle of the night. Panicked, I called the only person I thought would make a difference, Jim. "Bring Sable down to the clinic and I'll meet you there, I want to run some tests on him", said Jim.....at 3:00 A.M. in the morning! I met Jim at the clinic and after running his tests said he would like to take Sable home for the next couple of days to monitor him in his home. In his home. No one in the WORLD was as dedicated as that man was with our pets. After being with him for almost the 30 years he was in practice, when I found out recently that Jim had passed, even after not seeing or speaking with him for probably the last 20 years, I was heartbroken. Absolutely heartbroken. This man, this wonderful man, is surrounded in God's Kingdom with all of the healthiest and happiest of God's creature's and is truly in paradise. May you rest in great peace Jim, and may God keep you in his warm embrace for eternity. Until we meet again my friend. I will look forward to the day. May God Bless.
Randie Britton
April 7, 2023
One of the single nicest people I've ever had the good fortune to encounter as well as an excellent veterinarian. RIP, Jim.
Terry GAYLE
November 13, 2022
In the short time I known Mr. James Weege we grow a bond that is so
genuine where we called each other friends. To know that he is resting peacefully gives me joy and sorrow to know that my friend is resting. Until we meet again my love and support goes out to the family. - Gayle Family
Jan Pedraza
November 13, 2022
I was so extremely sorry to hear of Jimbo’s passing. He was a wonderful vet, but even more then that, such a warm human being. I worked at Colonial Animal for 10 plus years, and I loved working with him.When he left the practice, I was so sorry to see him go, but we did get together for lunch quite a few times which was always a nice time. I will miss him very much, and he is in God’s hands and At peace.Not only was he my co-worker, he was also my friend.
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Paula D'Agostino
November 11, 2022
It broke my heart to hear of Dr. Weege's passing. When I moved to Florida he became our vet. For their yearly check ups, we would load all the beasts in the car and cram into an exam room. He truly loved animals. I had pet skunks and he would put them on the floor and watch them do that Charlie Chaplin waddle they do and just laugh. He told me of his childhood in Wisconsin and how skunks were one of his favorite animals. Every furry and feathered creature was pet and kissed. The animals knew he loved them and in turn they (and us) loved him back. If there really is a Rainbow Bridge for all the animal that pass, I know that Dr. Weege will be standing there to greet each and every creature with love and respect. And I am sure that every animal and person who ever knew him were there to escort him into heaven. He truly was an amazing man with a beautiful soul. He will be missed.
Gil Walter
November 6, 2022
I was sorry to hear about Jim's death. I have known since he was a child interested in animals (he deodorized a pet skunk). He already knew what he wanted to be as an adult. As an undergraduate in Milwaukee he was quiet and studious but then continued his single minded pursuit in the Veterinary School in Minneapolis.
After graduation he moved to Florida to try to establish a practice as a Vet. It was rough going at first but he soon became known as a competent Vet who clearly loved animals. He continued to grow and became a community leader as well as a scientific researcher on coastal fauna.
He would visit Wisconsin every fall for deer hunting and stop in to see us. We (his sister Edie and I) in turn would stop at his place whenever we found ourselves in Florida. We were thus able to meet some of his friends and collaborators as well. The breadth of his activities was truly breadth taking.
His bout with Parkinson's made it difficult for him to speak but did not stop him. His accomplishments will continue to amaze all of us.
Joe Ivey
November 6, 2022
I trusted all my many animals to Dr Weege and his staff for many decades. He once met us in the early early morning to examine our hamster that was not long for this world. He always treated our dogs and cats as if they were a member of his own family. He was a caring individual that undoubtedly will be missed by many.
Heidi Bell
November 6, 2022
Dr. Wegee was a wonderful vet, he saved a beloved cat that other vets said we should put down. Condolences to the family
Craig Clancy
November 3, 2022
Uncle Jim will b missed, he was always a good and kind person.
jane alesi
November 2, 2022
Dr Dr Weege ...We are in shock ..You will be so so missed ....You were a wonderful Vet and Friend ....Kind and Loving .....Till we meet again Dr Weege....
Joan Martini
November 2, 2022
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
He was a dear friend and neighbor for 30 years.
Our Love and prayers go out to his family.
Ira Pauline Leidel
November 1, 2022
My sincere condolences with blessings on a life well lived. From a Wisconsin cousin.
Jeanette Wyneken
November 1, 2022
Can you spay my chameleon?
Besides turtles looking after the sea turtles at the FAU lab, Jim Weege was our vet for our menagerie. Beside a couple of cats and a couple of tortoises, there were the chameleons. Chameleons are the slow lizards with eyes that look this way and that, and feet that look more like kitchen tongs that lizard feet. They are also the “over achievers” in producing eggs. Since excess eggs challenge the lizard’s health, and I was not planning on breeding chameleons, I asked Jim if he would spay my lizard. The whole lizard was the size of a human thumb. Not that he had ever spayed a lizard, Jim said he would try. Then I asked if I could watch and take pictures. No pressure. Yet he said, sure. I was never so impressed by surgical skill as I was when he spayed that little lizard. She lived out a normal lizard life after that. Mission accomplished.
Jeanette Wyneken
November 1, 2022
You have to stop at the office!
After a long day of teaching at FAU, and fighting traffic the last thing I expected was a call to come see the tiger. I am a biologist, so seeing diverse animals is both fun and always a bit of an education. A call from Dr. Weege asking me how soon I could get to the office was not like most calls. “Jim, what is so important?” The tiger cubs are here for a checkup. Well, that’s not a call you get every day. The owner okayed a few visitors coming in the back, and I was a lucky one. I urged my car through traffic, walked in and was directed to “the back.” As soon as I walked in the room, Jim handed me a largish baby bottle and said, “Here, feed this one, while I work on the other one.” Of course, I do that every day (as in never before). The tiger didn’t care. Jim was checking this cat that was about the size of a large beagle. It was fine, and so was the I had to keep occupied. Jim loved the diversity that being a good veterinarian offered, and shared that excitement.
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Memorial Events
for James Weege
Nov
26
Visitation
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Ocean Ridge Town Hall
6450 North Ocean Blvd., FL
Nov
26
Memorial service
11:00 a.m.
Ocean Ridge Town Hall
6450 North Ocean Blvd., FL
Funeral services provided by:
Lorne and Sons Funeral Home - Delray Beach745 NE 6th Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483