"I am sitting here in Toronto with tears in my eyes. My wife saw a map of the U.P. and said, that should be part of Canada. I said, "I've been there to visit my friend, Jim Wagner. I wonder how he is, we've not spoken in a couple of years." I googled his name and am saddened that only in the last few days has he passed from this life. My wife reminded me that the memory of him was to offer a prayer, "Eternal rest grant unto your servant James, O LORD, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen." It was 1981 and I sat eating alone at the Bonnie View Hotel in Port Antonio. A rather joyful man yelled out to me to come an join the table. I did. That man was Jim and his sidekick, Harlen. There were four others. He found out I was going to Grand Cayman and said, "Sail with us!" Well, I made it as far as Ocho Rios, the sea legs were not there. So, there we stayed for a few days and we parted. i visited him once in Marquette, he came to Toronto once or twice on his way to New Brunswick, my late mother (born in 1915 thought he was "a real hoot." Somewhere, I have a picture of Jim and me, drunker than skunks on Red Stripe hiking up the middle of the Dunn River Falls. I will remember Jim with fondness and happiness. I am sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace. Go with God Jim with love. David Anthony Domet. Toronto."
In loving memory of
JAMES C. WAGNER
October 3, 1935 - July 13, 2021
James C. Wagner, 85, of Marquette, died peacefully Tuesday morning, July 13, 2021 at home, with his family by his side and under the care of UP Home Health & Hospice.
Jim was born on October 3, 1935 in Marquette, a son of the late Edwin and Ingrid (Michaelson) Wagner and was a lifelong resident. He was a 1953 graduate of John D. Pierce High School and later attended Northern Michigan University for a time.
Jim formerly owned Wagner Insurance and Real Estate in Marquette, a company which his father founded in the early 1920's. In his free time he enjoyed sailing and traveling. On three separate occasions he sailed his sailboat from Lake Superior to the Caribbean and back. He also built several homes and apartment buildings in the area. He was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and Marquette Elks Lodge #405.
Survivors include four children, Debbie (Dan) Dagenais of Marquette, Jim (Keiko) Wagner of Henderson, NV, Mike (Peggy) Wagner of Traverse City, and Tricia (Chris) Manzini of Marquette; 14 grandchildren, Andrea (Jay) Parent, Erika (Keith) LaCosse, Katie (Tanner) Wagner, Dan (Amy) Dagenais, Alec Wagner, Miyana Wagner, Sydney Wagner, Kai Wagner, Libby (Ben) Woodworth, Andrew (Courtney) Wagner, Erik (Megan) Hornbogen, Kate (Mike) Young, and Max Hornbogen; 19 great grandchildren, Tyler, Harvey, Alex, Isabella, Jack, Olivia, Claire, Rosie, Millie, Finn, Nora, Oliver, Whitney, Daniel, Gibson, Everett, Wesley, Celeste, Everly, and Zeke; one great, great grandson, Lucca; also several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents were siblings, Theresa (Jim) Northey, Edwin Wagner; a son-in-law, Dan Hornbogen; also his former wife, Lois Meeves.
The Wagner family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, July 26th at St. Michael Catholic Church beginning at 11 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass scheduled for 1 p.m. in the church with Rev. Gregory Heikkala officiating. Burial will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery.
Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855 in Mr. Wagner's memory.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Jim's family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com.
Tributes
"I was so sorry to hear my classmate has left us. I have happy memories of him visiting me here in California several years ago. He was such fun! My sincere condolences to his family. "