James Wagner

WAGNER
Mr. James Arthur, 82, of Wayne, NJ, died early the morning of May 29, 2013 while in hospice care. Jim was born on June 2, 1930, the second child of George and Lillian Wagner.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years Colette, sons Jerome and David, daughters Natalie and Valerie, grandchildren Danielle, Christine, Anthony, Charlotte, Brittany, Lauren, and Theofil, nephew Alan and his wife Diane, nephew Curtis, and niece Barbara. He is predeceased by his parents and step-mother Libby and his only sibling Victor.
He was raised in the Chicago area, where he attended Harper High School. He served in the US Army, specializing in turret maintenance for armored vehicles. After concluding his active service, he attended the University of Illinois at Urbana, graduating with honors from their School of Commerce and Business Administration.
His career was spent at the American Can Company, where he concluded his working life as a benefits administrator at their headquarters in Greenwich, CT.
Jim's youthful interests included body-building and music. Later, his principal pastimes included working in the yard and maintaining the family's beloved home in Packanack Lake. He volunteered at the Long Pond Iron Works Museum in West Milford, NJ. He particularly loved to plan and take adventures to the Western US, visiting many national and state parks over the years. His beautiful pictures of family, France, and his adventures are an enduring testament to his love of these.
He was a devoted family man to his wife, children and grandchildren.
In accordance with his wishes, no public memorial shall be held.
Thank you for everything you did for us, Jim/Dad/Grandpa Jim. We love you.