Obituaries

James R. Wells

James R. Wells of Mattituck died at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead on Sept. 5, 2017. He was 72.

He was born July 7, 1945, in Greenport to Clara (Diaz) and Theodore Wells and raised in Mattituck where he attended school. On May 2, 1967, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam until his honorable discharge on May 1, 1969, as a sergeant.

Six weeks later, on June 14, 1969, Jim married the former Nancy Bird at the Mattituck Presbyterian Church. Together they made their home in Mattituck, where they still resided.

He worked as a mechanic for Sound Avenue Equipment and later for Grumman as a millwright.

Jim was a member of the Peconic Bay Car Club, Griswold Terry Glover American Legion Post 803 and a former member of the Loyal Order of the Moose. He enjoyed camping and traveling and was a former motorcycle rider and enjoyed his classic cars with his son, Jim.

Family members recall Jim was a happy person, full of life and always smiling, who never complained.

Surviving are his wife, Nancy; son, Jim (Cindy) Wells; siblings Theodore (Rita) Wells, Janet Howard, Maryann (Tony) Hoopingarner and Stanley Kinney; grandchildren, Howard Gayne, T.J. Wells and Tabitha Wells and great-grandchildren, Charlotte Elizabeth and Logan Everett Gayne. He was predeceased by siblings David Wells, Sheila Wilke and William Wells.

The family received visitors  Sept. 8 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck where U.S. Army honors were rendered. Religious services were conducted at the funeral home Sept. 9 officiated by Caren Heacock, Pastoral Assistant at Mattituck Presbyterian Church. Interment followed at New Bethany Cemetery in Mattituck.

Memorial donations in Jim’s name may be made to Mattituck Presbyterian Church Loaves & Fishes Program or Mattituck Fire Department.

This is a paid notice.