James M. Wagner

James M. Wagner of Riverhead died March 31 at Southampton Hospital. He was 80.

He was born Nov. 19, 1931, in Northport to Charles and Bertha Wagner. After graduating from high school, he worked as an aerial photographer at Northrop Grumman Aerospace in Bethpage, a job he loved, according to family members.

He built a house in Vermont in 1978, where he and his wife, Janet, spent a lot of time, and where he enjoyed chopping wood, among other pursuits. After retirement he continued taking photographs, and, always an avid golfer, he became very serious about the game, even playing with custom clubs, according to his family.

Predeceased by his wife in 2007, he is survived by his children, Craig, of Flanders, James E., of East Northport, and Janice Frischberg of Brooklyn; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will take place Thursday, April 5, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead, where a service will be held Friday, April 6, at 11 a.m., the Rev. Charles Byer officiating. Cremation will be private.