WREN, JAMES E.

WREN, JAMES E. (“Jim”), 88, of Cape May Court House, NJ passed away Saturday at the Cape Regional Medical Center surrounded by family.Jim was born November 21, 1928 in Bryn Mawr, PA to Harold and Mary (Carroll) Wren. He graduated from Haverford Township High School in 1946 after which he went into the Army just before WWII ended and was stationed in Korea. Upon return, he went to Lafayette College where he captained the soccer team, led the Delta Upsilon fraternity and graduated in 1952 as an industrial engineer. Jim had a lengthy career as President of Nester Instruments in Millville, NJ where he served on the board of the Millville hospital and helped to initiate the combined medical center, was very active in support of the school system, was a member of the First Presbyterian church in Millville and volunteered for numerous community organizations earning him the prestigious Outstanding Citizen Award. For many years, while all three of his kids swam competitively, he was at every meet, helping in any way he could and cheering like crazy.He had a second career in real estate after his marriage to Karin (Heilig) and became an active member of the Margate Community Church, a volunteer for the Stone Harbor Museum and Cape Mediation. He had a long productive life which he dedicated to thoughtful service to his various communities. His avocation was racing sailboats all his life, he was a Proprietary member and past Commodore of the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor and was truly happy on the water, especially if it was in a catboat or hearing the gun as he crossed the finish line. He also enjoyed travel and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and swimming across the Snug Harbor basin. He was a lifelong summer resident and lived year-round for 19 years in Stone Harbor, NJ before moving to CMCH after Superstorm Sandy.Jim is survived by his wife of 32 years, Karin (Heilig), a brother Chris (Debbie) of Arlington, VA, his brother-in-law Bill Horne, Easton, MD, three children Sheila Hand, West Bloomfield, NY, and Meghan (Jesse Briggs), Money Island, NJ and Jim (Debbie) Wilmington, NC; stepchildren Holly (Mike) Monihan, Ocean City, NJ, Betsy (Dave) Neaves, Kauai, HI; Dave (Amy) Parker, Somers Point, NJ; and John (Sonja) Parker, Palermo, NJ; grandchildren Lindsay (Jeff) Monihan-Stein, Chris (Andrea) Monihan, Adam (Candice) Neaves, Vito Neaves, Amber Neaves, Scott Parker, Tyler (Alyssa) Parker, Aleva Parker, Carlee Parker and Delbay Wren Briggs; great grandchildren Lilia and Dahlia Parker, Wyatt Beck, Charlie and Will Stein; and many nieces and nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Elinore (Nicholl), his sister Sue Horne and his granddaughter Elizabeth Hand.A celebration of life service will be held at 11am, Sat, March 11 at Margate Community Church, 8900 Ventnor Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402 with a gathering of family and friends at 10am. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Margate Community Church or Bayshore Center at Bivalve 2800 High Street, Port Norris, NJ 08349. Those wishing to sign Jims guestbook may do so at www.radzieta.com