James J. Magee

Former Aquebogue resident James J. Magee of Moriches died Feb. 16 in Brookhaven. He was 86.

He was born in Queens on Oct. 25, 1924, to James W. and Julia (Manwaring) Magee and served in the Army during World War II, from 1943 to 1946. He earned a B.A. from C.W. Post College and worked for many years at Grumman, first as an avionics technician and later in a management capacity.

Mr. Magee married Joan Schuller on June 1, 1952, and the couple lived in Huntington for many years. They moved to Aquebogue in 1980, and Joan Magee, who predeceased her husband in 1988, was employed for a time at the News-Review.

According to his son Geoffrey, Mr. Magee was very involved with the sea and sea life. He loved fishing for bluefish and striped bass and kept saltwater aquariums in the basement of his Huntington home, where he would collect and observe starfish, horseshoe crabs and other aquatic species.

He later became an enthusiastic docent at Atlantis Marine World Aquarium in Riverhead, where he met fellow docent Lorraine Meyer, who became his second wife on July 4, 1999. Geoffrey Magee said they both loved working at the aquarium. Lorraine died in 2008.

In addition to his son Geoffrey, of Seattle, Wash., Mr. Magee is survived by his son Michael, of Slippery Rock, Pa.; three grandchildren; and his brother Donald, of Florida. He was predeceased by his siblings Dorothy Fedak and William.

Visiting hours took place Feb. 20 at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead. Services and interment were Feb. 21 at Calverton National Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.