James "Jim" William Chadwick, age 88, of Camptown, died in the early morning hours of June 23, 2018, surrounded by his loving family.

Jim was raised and schooled in the Wyalusing area and believed in giving back to the community, which was exemplified in his many volunteer activities and various memberships and affiliations over a span of more than six decades. As a businessman, he presided over the amazing growth of a small mutual insurance company that today is the Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Insurance Company in Wyalusing.

Jim was born on March 23, 1930, in Holden, MA, to Dr. Everell Vernon Chadwick and Mildred Chadwick. On December 27, 1953, he married the former Mary Lou Mott and they were together for 57 years until her passing on April 18, 2011.

Jim prided himself on being an "outdoors farm boy" and that is the major reason he returned to Bradford County and his beloved Wyalusing Township in 1955 to pursue a successful career. Notably, he was instrumental in building the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Tuscarora, established on Spring Hill in 1874, into the highly statewide and nationally rated mutual insurance company, the Tuscarora Wayne Mutual Insurance Company of Wyalusing.

Jim came to the Farmers Mutual in 1955 as an agent, retiring thirty-seven years later as President and Chief Executive Officer of Tuscarora-Wayne. He served as chief executive since 1962 after his predecessor and mentor, J. Walter Mitten, stepped down when the chief of staff's title was Secretary. His title was modernized to President/CEO in 1983 and he would retire a decade later on Jan. 1, 1993.

Jim graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Agricultural Economics and was a veteran of the United States Air Force. He and Mary Lou were living in Baltimore, MD, where he was a management trainee for a company that manufactured agriculture fertilizer when he got the job selling insurance in Wyalusing. He was in his early thirties when he took over the top job at what is now Tuscarora Wayne and his leadership was invaluable in key mergers in the 1960's and 1970's with other mutual companies in the region, including the Wayne County Mutual Insurance Company of Honesdale in 1973.

"No one in the history of the company has worked more diligently and contributed to so much of our success and growth as Jim Chadwick," stated the late John Griffin upon the announcement of Jim's retirement.

Jim's influence in the mutual insurance industry extended far beyond Northeastern Pennsylvania. He was a former President of the Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (PAMIC) and continued to serve the industry on the state and national levels until his retirement.

Jim Chadwick lived in one of the most historic homes in Camptown for about 60 years. He was one of the founders of the Camptown Races, which was started in 1965 and continues annually as a major community event. He was active there as a member of the Camptown Men's Club and the Camptown Community Church.

His other affiliations included serving on the board of the Peoples State Bank (now PS Bank), Chairman and Trustee of Towanda Memorial Hospital and with the Wyalusing Lions Club where he continued to volunteer throughout his retirement years.

He is survived by his three children: Jay Chadwick and his wife Barbara of Merryall, PA; Gina and her husband Karl "Tiger" Peterson of Camptown, PA; and Julie Howard and her husband Ken of Camptown, PA; his seven grandchildren: Daniel Howard and his wife Colleen; Keith Howard and his fiancé Chelsea Blasi, and Claire Howard and her fiancé Dakota Roof; Jonathon Peterson, Joseph Peterson and his wife Roxanna; Jimmy Chadwick and his wife Katie, and Lauren Chadwick; three great-grandchildren: Eli Howard, Evelina Howard and Grace Peterson. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law: Wanda Chadwick and Dorothy Smithgall. The family, on behalf of Jim, also recognizes three special friends: Connie Barzona, Irene Walent and Shelby Napoli. Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, the former Mary Lou Mott, who died on April 18, 2011; two older brothers, Dr. Harold "Hoddy" Chadwick and Everell Chadwick, and a sister, Dorothy Ann Chadwick Brabson.

A memorial service for Jim will be held on Friday, June 29, 2018 at 12:00 Noon at the Camptown Community Church with Reverend William Westbrook officiating. Family and friends may call at the church from 10:00 until the time of the service. A Masonic service will precede the memorial service conducted by members of the Union Wyalusing Lodge 108 F&AM Masonic Lodge in Towanda, PA. A military honor service will follow the memorial service, conducted at the church by the members of the Wyalusing American Legion Post #534. Interment will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Camptown Cemetery, the Camptown Community Church or the charity of your choice in his remembrance.

Arrangements were entrusted by Sheldon Funeral Home, 155 Church Street, Wyalusing, PA.

Online condolences may be made at www.sheldonfuneralhomes.com.