James “Gus” Wenzell

James "Gus" Wenzell passed away peacefully at his home in North Wales on April 8, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. James was born in Philadelphia, where he was an outstanding athlete in Belfield, starring in football, baseball, and basketball. The friends he made during those years would remain his friends for the rest of his life.

He was drafted out of Olney High School to serve in the U.S. Navy in World War II, and he received commendations for his service.

In 1952, James married Teresa Cullinan, who would be the love of his life for nearly 55 years until she passed away in 2007. They spent most of their lives and raised their five children in Warminster until they moved to North Wales in 2001.

James worked for years at Standard Pressed Steel (SPS) in Jenkintown, and then was one of the first employees and worked for over twenty years with Laboratory Testing, Inc. (LTI), now in Hatfield.

Family and friends always meant more to James than anything else. Although he loved sports his entire life-he loved and often played golf-it was his family that brought him the most happiness. For the past decade the family rented a house in Sea Isle City, and dubbed the annual trip "WoW" for Week of Wenzells; these vacations were and are filled with love, laughter, storytelling, and memories.

His passion for his friends from Belfield was unmatched. He coordinated numerous reunions for the "Belfield Gang" beginning in the late 1960s, organized golf outings for decades and was still managing monthly luncheons for his lifelong friends into 2018. He has been called the "glue that held the Belfield Gang together" by his friends. He truly loved his time with his friends of nearly eighty years - telling stories, rehashing memories, and of course, laughing.

James was known for his booming laugh, which brought smiles to those blessed enough to hear it. Anyone who was fortunate to meet him instantly became a better person. He filled the world with unconditional love and laughter.

James is survived by his beloved children Tim Wenzell (Louise), Maureen Smith, Mike Wenzell (Kassie), Jim Wenzell (Lisa), and Colleen Pflanz (Bryan). Also surviving are his eight grandchildren Jessica (Joel), Darrell (Carolynn), Robbie, Amie, Ryan, Megan, Caitlin and Bryan; four great grandchildren Cole, MaKenzie, Annabelle and Nathan; and siblings Dot Alcorn (Tom) and John McCarthy (Joan). In addition to his wife, he was also predeceased by his son Glenn Wenzell and sister Jean Evans (the late Marshall).

Friends and family are invited to attend his viewings 7-9 PM, Thursday, April 12, 2018, at Scanlin Funeral Home, 175 East Butler Ave., Chalfont, PA and 10 -11 AM, Friday, April 13, 2018 at St. Stanislaus Church, 51 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11 AM, Friday, April 13 at St. Stanislaus followed by his interment at St. John Neumann Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in James' memory may be made to Paralyzed Veterans at www.pva.org .