Longtime Scouter Dies

MILLVILLE – So often folks who become scouters do so because their sons have joined the program. It seems the right thing to do–a son in scouting needs a leader so you volunteer.  However there have been Scouters with daughters only or perhaps have no children.  Often they were scouts as a youth and knew the importance of the values and programs of scouting.  Such was our BaySea Scouter, Jim English, who died Nov. 24. 
Jim came from an era in BaySea scouting when legends were being made–Jim English, along with Bernard ‘Bunny’ Becker (T77); Pete Kagamakos (T193);  Homer Miller (T76); Forrest Spriggs (T84); Bob Farrow (T104) and Jim Coover (T87); along with Bob Grace (T56), Chuck Webb (T79), Rich Dotti (T56)–were a group of scouters who not only inspired the scouts they served but set the standard of servant leadership many of us try to emulate.  These legends of scouting came together to serve and through scouting & BaySea District  became lifelong friends and community leaders.  
Jim was a scout in Darby Pa. As a youth, Jim & his mom would summer in Sea Isle and eventually moved here. He graduated from West Catholic High School in Philadelphia.  He joined Darby Volunteer Fire Company and served there for many years. He was an active member of Sea Isle Volunteer Fire Company. For 49 years Jim served his communities as a volunteer Fire Fighter. 
He became Scoutmaster of Troop 76 in 1973 at the request of another BaySea Legend, Homer Miller.  Jim passed the scoutmaster badge to one of his scouts, Mike Jargowsky, who continues to serve as the scoutmaster of Troop 76. Jim guided 23 Scouts to the rank of Eagle and thousands of Scouts through the program. After serving as scoutmaster, Jim continued to serve scouting as chairman of the BaySea Advancement Committee; Troop 76 Advancement chairman; Unit Commissioner for BaySea District; and District historian.  He was the BB range director for the BaySea District Cub Scout Day camp at Belleplain State Forest. 
As a Scouter Jim earned his Scouters Training Key in 1977 and was a graduate of Wood Badge NE-IV-27-14, Eagle Patrol (1980). BaySea District recognized Jim as the Scouter of the Year in 1979. In 1980 he received the District Award of Merit, the highest recognition presented to a Scouter district volunteer by the Boy Scouts of America. He is a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow chosen by the Scouts of Apatukwe Lodge Order of the Arrow. In 1990 Jim was recognized for his outstanding service with the Silver Beaver Award–presented by the Southern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America for his dedication to the ideals and values of scouting.  In 2003 BaySea District presented Jim English with the Lifetime Scouter Award and in 2004, the district and Troop 76 presented a James E West Fellowship to honor Jim English. 
Jim was a Master Mason with Cannon Lodge 104 Free and Accepted Mason located in South Seaville.  He was a Civil War buff and member of the Cape May County Civil War Roundtable.  He belonged to the NRA and a certified rifle instructor and expert.
Jim was one of the best storytellers–a Troop 76 tradition at summer camp was for Jim to tell his story of “Hatchet Annie”–a story he told so well there was many a sleepless scout in camp.  Of course the story was told while making some of the famous troop 76 ice cream.  Jim was very fond of Camp Roosevelt and assisted on the rifle range. Jim was a conversationalist–was there anybody who only had a short talk with Jim? He believed in every one of his scouts.  His camping trips were legend and his most famous were the Troop 76 treks to Walt Disney World. 
Jim believed in what scouting can do for young men.  All of the present and former scouts of troop 76 had an appreciation for his leadership.  He was proud of his troop–which is the longest tenured troop in the Cape side of BaySea District  (only troop 1 in Bridgeton with 105 years of continuous service is longer). Jim so loved this program that when he would relate the story of the birth of Scouting and how the unknown scout helped James Boyce through the London fog–Jim would become emotional and shed a few tears.  He would remind us how one seemingly small act of kindness and caring gave birth to a program that has served billions of youth and leaders and the importance of each scout doing their Good Turn Daily. 
One task that Jim never turned down was to the Master of Ceremonies at an Eagle Court of Honor.  Jim had a way of making these events a really outstanding memory for the scout.  He proudly served in this role not only for Troop 76 but also for Troop 104 in Whitesboro, Troop 63 in Villas and any troop that asked him.  Jim always told the story of during the formation of our country one of the many debates was to choose a symbol for the newly formed United States.  Thomas Jefferson championed the cause of the Eagle.  Ben Franklin extoled the virtues of the wild turkey, a bird native to North America. Jim would give us all a laugh as he reminded us that if Ben Franklin had his way, an American patriot who Jim admired, scouts would be receiving the Turkey Award instead of the Eagle. 
In the past as new scout troops were formed, our scoutmasters would help the new leaders with the formation of the new troop.  Many years ago, Bob Farrow wanted to start a new troop in Whitesboro at Bethel Commandment Church.  Jim, along with Bob Grace and Jim Coover gave guidance and helped with the formation of troop 104.  Troops 56, 76 and 87 would invite Troop 104 to their camping trips, meetings and activities and help these new leaders bring the values of scouting to the community.  This triad of mentors became known as the Godfathers of Troop 104.
For Jim English, BaySea District and scouting are his family. We are his survivors and all of us will miss his jokes and wisdom. He embraced all the values of scouting as said every week in the Scout Oath and Law.  Jim lived by the principles of scouting.  He served his scouts well and I know that as every current and former scout of Troop 76 circles up they will always answer the Jim English question: “Who are we, gentlemen?”  We are Troop 76! 
Services for Jim English have not yet been announced.  His obituary will appear in the PRESS of Atlantic City. Additional info will be found at http://www.godfreyfuneralhome.com/  If you are able to attend please wear your Scout uniform.