James Edward Roe

James Edward Roe, age 86, of Wayne passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2022 while receiving the loving care of his family.

James was born and raised in Passaic, NJ and was one of three children to John and Jennie Roe.  As a young man, James attended Passaic High School and graduated with the class of 1953.  Following his high school graduation, James enrolled at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ.  James attended Steven’s for about a year. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1959.  James served proudly and honorably in the US Army from 1959 till 1962.  During his service with the army, James was stationed at the Nike Air Missile Base in Milford, CT.  There he was a Radar Operator for the Battery A 3rd Missile Battalion. Serving in the US Army was something that James was always proud of.

After being honorably discharged from the army, James accepted a position at the Nabisco Corporation in Fair Lawn, NJ.  While working in the research lab there, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Upsala College in East Orange, NJ.  He was a research chemist for Nabisco, developing new food products for the company.  He was credited with several patents which were published by Nabisco. James’ career with Nabisco spanned over thirty-six years until his retirement in 2001.

James met his future wife, Carol Ann Connelly, and two years later on July 3, 1965 they became husband and wife at St Michael’s Church in Lyndhurst, NJ.  After getting married, the newlyweds settled in an apartment in Wayne.  The couple remained there for about two years and then moved to a newly built home on Kiwanis Dr in Wayne.  While living there, they welcomed the birth of their first child, Brian.  In 1972, the family moved to the Pines Lake section of Wayne where their second child, Lauren, was born.  James and Carol raised their children in Wayne and have called it home ever since.

James joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary where he would monitor shipping and transit operations on the Hudson River by way of small aircraft.  Later James was made a liaison for the Coast Guard Academy and traveled to various high schools in Northern NJ informing students of what the Coast Guard Academy had to offer them.  He was also a Webelo Den Leader when his son Brian was younger.  James was an active member of the Preakness Reformed Church for many years and also served as a Deacon for the church.

James enjoyed building model boats, and hiking.  He loved listening to classical music and had quite an extensive music collection.  He liked exploring the Northern New Jersey area and learning about its history.  James was also interested in his own family history and traced his ancestry back to the Revolutionary War. Two of his ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War which prompted James to be invited as a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.  Aside from all of James’ interests and hobbies, his greatest passion was for his family.  Nothing in the world meant more to James than spending time with and providing for his family.  He and his wife Carol have cherished fifty-seven years of loving and loyal marriage.  James treasured vacationing with his family throughout the years, particularly two very memorable trips to Utah, and Estes Park, CO which were sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation.

James was a quiet and private man who loved his family deeply.  He was sincerely loved and respected by his colleagues throughout his career.  James was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.

James is survived by his wife Carol Ann (nee Connelly) of Wayne, NJ his son Brian Roe and his wife Lun-Shan of Lincoln Park, NJ, his daughter Lauren Roe of Clifton, NJ, one sister Jean Jarzabek of Paramus, NJ, three nephews; Stephen Roe, John Roe, and Kenneth Jarzabek, and one niece Susan Roe Roessner.  James was predeceased by his brother John Roe.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make charitable donations in James’ name, may make them to the charity of their choice.