n . • i F-. c I Trenton loses successful businessman, Babe James, c*«& at By Ernst Kuglin SPECIAL TO THE INTELLIGENCER QUllrTE WEST -- Just two days before Christmas, Trenton awoke Monday morning to the news it had liast one of its most successful citizehs. Mawnan F. (Babe) James died at home^early Monday morning. He was 72. Flags flew at half staff at the Trenton Cold Storage building in downtown Trenton. Babe James is being described as a man who contributed to his community, a person who was loyal to friends and family and a mechanical genius with an astute business sense. ^ Comjnunity leaders, business associates and friends paid tribute to a man they described as a close and loyal friend. Babe James was a long-time and devoted member of the Trenton Kiwanis Club, joining in 1952. He served as president 1965 and Lt- Gov. in 1967 and treasurer in 1980-81. Ironically the Kiwanis Club paid tribute to Babe James last Friday during the annual Christmas fund- raising dinner for the Salvation Army. "That was one of his great pas- sions, helping the Salvation Army, particularly at Christmas," said nephew Eben James IE, President and CEO of the TCS Group. The TCS Group of businesses recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Babe's brother, Eben James II, paid an emotional tribute to his brother at the Trenton Cold Stor- age Group 100th anniversary cele- bration dinner held in November. Babe James had been with the company since 1949. Citing his "wonderful under- standing of machinery and equip- ment," and his extensive commu- nity service in Kiwanis, the Shrine Club and hospital board among others, Eben II described Babe this way: "My brother, friend and part- ner ... our trip has been both rewarding and challenging." Monday, Eben n described his brother as one of the nicest people he had the pleasure of knowing. "Babe was one of God's gentle- man," said Eben II, "He would never go out of his way to offend anybody." Funeral service will be held Mon., Dec. 30 at 1 p.m. at St. George's Anglican Church. Visitation will be held Sat, Dec. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 29 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rushnell Funeral Centre, 60 Division St., Trenton. ' . t\i ' | | • . . . ' , 'UcVo < - f > , . .