James P. Reagan, 95, of Marcellus, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. Jim was a lifelong Marcellus resident, a hometown he loved and supported. After graduating from Marcellus Central High School, Jim was drafted into the Army. In World War II he served under General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. He retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After returning from the war, Jim earned his BS & Masters degrees from Niagara University. He was inducted into the Niagara University Sports Hall of Fame as a record setting long distance runner. In his early career, Jim was a Social Studies and English teacher in the Youngstown and Elbridge school districts. He later continued his love of education by serving on the school boards of Marcellus Central School and OCM BOCES.
As an insurance broker, Jim later became the president of the James P. Reagan Agency. He was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church and served 50 years as a church trustee. Jim was a member for 64 years of the Marcellus American Legion Ralph Share Post #297. In his retirement he enjoyed winters and golf in Sun City, AZ. He was one of the founders and a lifetime member of the Wednesday night Tanner Valley Golf league. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, son Robert and sisters Helen Kemper and Mary Alice Clary.
Jim is survived by his brother Bernie (Ruth Anne) Reagan of Marcellus; his daughter Kathleen (Jody) Reagan-Anderson of Roseville, MN, and his sons, Mike (Jane) Reagan, Ned Reagan, Rick (Kristin) Reagan, all of Marcellus, as well as seven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Due to COVID restrictions there were no calling hours and the Funeral Mass and burial were private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Francis Xavier Church, P. O. Box 177, Marcellus, NY 13108.
Arrangements were with Ryan Funeral Home, Marcellus.
