Published in the August 16, 2019 edition.
WAKEFIELD — James E. Worthley, Jr., 93, of Wakefield, died peacefully in his sleep under hospice care at the Advinia Health Care facility in Wilmington on Monday, August 12, 2019.
Born in Winchester on February 28, 1926, James was the elder of two children of the late James E. and Ethel (Blanchard) Worthley. A life-long resident of Wakefield, “Jim” was married in 1948 to Emogene (“Emmy”) Iberg of Highland, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri. A devoted husband and father, Jim made his career as a Quality Control Engineer with Sylvania, Inc. of Ipswich and Danvers from 1950 to 1985.
Jim was a veteran of WWII and served in the Pacific theater with the United States Army Air Corps from 1944 to the end of the war. Jim was an active member of the Wakefield-Lynnfield United Methodist Church and served on its Board of Trustees for several years. He was also an active member of the Wakefield Retired Men’s club for several years and was a life-long devoted patron of our local library. Besides his family, Jim’s great passions were bowling, crossword puzzles, bridge, and travel (not to mention that he was always up for a game of cribbage). Jim and Emmy were fortunate to have traveled to many different places in both the United States and abroad, their favorite destinations being the U.S. National Parks. Jim was also an avid vegetable gardener and gained some local notoriety by growing tomatoes, potatoes, and cucumbers instead of grass in the front yard of his home.
James is survived by a daughter, Eileen Worthley of Wakefield, and a son, Thomas Worthley and his wife Catherine (Surette) of Higganum, Connecticut. Jim is also survived by four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Emily (Worthley-Seldon) Seward and her husband John Seward and their children Emma and Owen; Michael Worthley-Seldon; Travis Worthley and his wife Elizabeth (Briggs) Worthley and their children Alexandra and Thomas; Caitlin Eliza (Worthley) Toffler and her husband Patrick Toffler and their daughter Clara; as well as his sister Ann (Worthley) Orifice and her husband Sal Orifice of Wakefield; he is predeceased by his loving wife, Emogene.
Abiding with James’ wishes, a simple private service is planned for the family and extended family. Funeral services will be private.
Arrangements are in the care of the McDonald Funeral Home in Wakefield.
