James A. Commins
“Do Good Things”
James A. Commins P.E., (JAC) Wyndmoor PA died peacefully April 24, 2015 following a 8-year battle with melanoma.JAC was born in Pen Argyl PA. He earned a B.S. in Physics from Bucknell University, a M.S. in Engineering Physics from Drexel University and is a Diplomat of the Graduate Management Program, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He was a Licensed Professional Engineer -, an elected member of Sigma Pi Sigma – the National Physics Society and held three patents in the environmental engineering field. He served in the United States Navy.JAC was co-founder of JACA Corporation, an environmental engineering and management -consulting firm in 1970. The company was ahead of the “environmental curve” and had major industrial, technical, government and institutional clients. Prior to founding JACA, he was Vice President Marketing for the General Atronics Corporation, Division of Magnavox. This company produced electronic communication surveillance products, and automated materials handling equipment for a variety of manufacturing industries. Prior to that he was the Product Manager, responsible for all technical and sales functions for non-destructive testing equipment for the Industrial and Scientific Products Division of Curtiss Wright. At Univac, Division of Sperry Rand, JAC was the Division Director Engineering Services. At Philco-Ford, he was a Technical Sales Engineer. He taught physics at Lafayette College for four years. Right after graduating Bucknell, JAC was an engineering physicist with the U.S. Naval Research Lab in Washington DC.JAC was an avid sailor, golfer and enjoyed woodworking. He also loved the opera, symphony, ballet, reading and writing – having several creative and research based articles published. He was a volunteer at Chestnut Hill Hospital. He served on the Board of Spring Garden College. He tutored reading to inmates at Graterford prison and to children through St. Thomas Episcopal Church’s outreach program. He was a member of REAP – Retired Executives and Professionals for 18 years. He was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church Whitemarsh for 43 years and he loved his church dearly. JAC was the beloved husband of the late Lucille (nee Donatelli) with whom he shared 45 wonderful years of marriage. He is survived by his beloved daughter, Chamaine Duerr, (Wm. Christopher) and 3 beloved grandchildren; James, Sarah and Lucie. JAC spent countless hours with James, Sarah and Lucie – playing, traveling, and attending sports events dance and music recitals. He has a beloved son James Jr. (Karen) and two Beloved grandchildren (Ian and Meredith) from his first marriage.A Memorial Service to celebrate JAC’s life will be held Thursday, April 30th 11 am at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Whitemarsh, 610 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031.In Lieu of flowers, contributions in JAC’s name may be made to St. Thomas Church Whitemarsh Memorial Fund 610 Church Road, Flourtown, PA 19031 or Fox Chase Cancer Center 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19111
