James Farner Moersh, 80, of 103 Maple Lane, Covington, VA, died Friday, January 28, 2011, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Alleghany in Low Moor.
He was born June 9, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio, a son of the late Mel D. Moersh and Mildred Farner Moersh.
At a young age he moved to Mount Vernon, New York, and spent his childhood there. He graduated from A. B. Davis High School and was active in the Mount Vernon YMCA. He attended Champlain College in Plattsburg, New York, and State University of New York for two years and graduated Suma Cum Laude from Springfield College, Springfield, MS, with a degree in Group Work and Community Organization.
He was a violinist when was young and throughout his life was an avid lover of classical music.
Mr. Moersh first worked as an activities secretary at the Five Towns YMCA in Lawrence Long Island, New York. He married Jill Copeland of Cedar Hurst, Long Island, NY, in 1954. Later he became a partner in the large family dry cleaning business and was there for 20 years. He was member of the Five Towns YMCA board of directors for many years and also a member of the Nassau Suffolk Counties UMCA Board of Directors. He was active in the Five Towns Lions Club and served on the Five Towns Drug and Alcohol Abuse council. He was also appointed to the position of Director of Civil Defense of the Five Towns and was a member of the Boy's Work Committee for the New York State UMCA.
In 1976 the family moved to Bloomsburg, PA, where he built his own house and had an active farmette. Changing professions, he became a clock and watchmaker and was the owner of the Dutch Hill Clock Shop located on Iron Street in Downtown Bloomsburg for over 20 yaers. He established and was the president for many years of the Susquehanna Valley Clock and Watchmakers Guild and was an active member and the President of the Pennsylvania Clock and Watchmakers Association and the American Institute of Clock and Watchmakers and also the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
When first moving of Bloomsburg he was helpful in the establishment of the Bloomsburg Theatre ensemble and served on the Board of Directors and has held several offices. He was the Chairman of the Building Committee during the purchase of their present building, instrumental in the renovation with BTE since its establishment.
He and his wife were supporters of the Mercy Corps, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, The Greenwoods Friends School, Susquehanna Valley Chorale and the North Shore Animal League of America.
James and Jill moved to Covington in 2008 to be near their daughter, Anne M. Dean. After arriving here he became interested in art and learned to paint watercolors. Many of them were in shows and some are displayed Covington. He was a member of the Greenbrier Artists, Inc., in Lewisburg, WV.
James was a Christian Scientist and then a member of the South Shore Unitarian Fellowship.
He was a loving husband, father, and friend to all.
Surviving are his wife, of 57 years Jill C. Moersh, of Covington; a daughter, Anne Dean, of Covington; a daughter, Elizabeth Moersh and her husband, Allen Shinn, of Philadelphia, PA; a son, Timothy J. Moersh, of Philadelphia, PA; a sister, Nancy Foley; two nieces and one nephew and their spouses, children and grandchildren; a special friend, Edwin W. Finch; and his beloved dog, Tessa.
In keeping with his wishes, his body was cremated.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, P.O. Box 770001, Cincinnati, Ohio 45277-0053. Please indicate on any checks, for James F. and Jill C. Moersh Charitable Gift Fund.
The family will receive their friends anytime at either the Moersh residence at 103 Maple Lane or at Anne Dean's residence at 110 Maple Lane, Covington, VA.
