- Date Of Death: December 20, 2020
- State: New Jersey
James C. (Butter) Ayrer of Burlington, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at his home. After 96 years, Jim passed peacefully in his sleep. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 46 years, Helen (nee Tresansky), his son, James C. Ayrer, Jr., and his recently deceased son, Joseph C. (Karen) Ayrer, Sr. He is survived by his children: Christine (Eric, dec’d) Becker, Rita Ayrer, Patrick (Renée) Ayrer, Emma (William, dec’d) Dale, Mariane (Boo) (David) Lyczak, Ilona (Lani) (George, dec’d) Abele, Timothy (Kristen) Ayrer, Sr., and Martha (Robert, dec’d) Ayrer Bennett; 20 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. “Pop” was known as “Grandpop” to every kid that knew him. He will be especially missed by his grandson, Jason Becker.
Jim was born June 22, 1924 at his parents’, Joseph and Katherine (Doherty), house in Burlington. He was the last surviving sibling to his sister, Elizabeth McConomy and brother, Francis. After graduating from high school, class of ‘41, he went to college for a year. Then the tragedy of WWII began. Jim volunteered, to the dismay of his mother, and honorably served on both oceans in the US Navy during WWII 1943-1945. He graduated from Rider University in 1949 with the degree of B.S. in Education, where he met his future wife, Helen on the steps of the school. From there, Jim graduated from Rutgers University in 1953 with the degree of Master of Education (Accounting).
Jim started out on the ice wagon, working with his father, in his teens. He began his career as a teacher in Florence Township. While raising his children, Jim worked three jobs at the same time. He was elected Burlington City Treasurer (1949 – 1974), State of NJ, Burlington County Supervisor of Inheritance Tax (1961-1980), and Comptroller and Manager of Mechanics National Bank (1959-1976). Then Jim was offered the position of Delran Township Board of Education Secretary and School Business Administrator (1976-1978). In 1978, Burlington Township needed to find a man to finish the completion of the new “flying saucer” municipal complex. There were complications in the construction process. Jim began his performance in January 1979 and completed the project in June 1980, ahead of the expected completion time. For his efforts, he received an Achievement Award from the Township of Burlington Heritage Commission “In grateful appreciation for his tireless efforts in his performance as Coordinator of the Dedication of the Municipal Complex June 21, 1980.”
After “retiring” again, Jim was asked to join the Trust Department at the Westmont First Peoples Bank to close down the non-profitable department. In a few months’ time, it became very profitable, and he was promoted to V.P. and Head of the Trust Department (1980-1990). Oh, those Phillies Super box tickets that Jim had control of disbursing! Jim went on to work many more jobs for years later, well into his 80’s, including: Burlington County Bank, Judge Alexander Denbo’s law office, Fredrick W. Hardt, Esq.’s office, specializing in financial planning, estates and trusts, and personal income tax.
A devout Catholic, Jim was a life-long lector at the 9:15 Mass, and active in All Saints Holy Name Society. You knew when he was in church, because you would hear him singing in his wonderful voice, praising the Lord (often he went to a few Masses on Sunday to take another child that didn’t make it to an earlier Mass). Jim served the Lord and kept his commandments. He was a true, living example of a Christian, and a genuine, patient, and forgiving person! Jim was always smiling and singing a tune. Every single morning, he would greet people by saying, “It’s great to get up in the morning!”
Jim was very athletic and played basketball, football, and tennis. An avid fan of all sports, he would call the game plays before the coaches did. Jim loved the ocean and the Jersey shore and spent many summers on LBI with his family. He also visited most Civil War battlefields, somehow combined with summer road trips. Jim had a zest for life and was up on current events, always reading, continuing to learn, and if you listened to him, you were sure to learn a thing or two. He was an honest man with integrity and morals. Jim was a great man with humility.
