James Charles Wansiewicz

Jim was born on December 3, 1942, to Henry and Eva Wansiewicz of Lynn Massachusetts. Jim was the brother of Elaine and Richard Wansiewicz. Jim was a standout baseball and football player in his youth and played third base for Lynn English High School. Jim graduated from Boston College in 1965 with BS in finance. While Jim was attending BC, he would meet the love of his life, Phyllis Warden, the daughter of John and Stephanie Warden of Lynn, MA. Jim and Phyllis married in June of 1965. They remained in love and married for over 59 years.

Jim served his country in the United States Army for 3 years at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Ordinance Center and Training School participating in the training of the troops at the height of the conflict in Vietnam. Jim was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. Upon leaving the Army, Jim would begin a lengthy career in the energy business beginning with Humble Oil and Refining which became Exxon Company in 1973. He would spend several years in a wide variety of positions with Mobil Oil which included being the youngest terminal manager at the East Boston, MA tank farm. Jim would later enjoy senior positions at Ultramar, Bruggemann, and Anschutz Corp. Jim finished his energy career as the CEO of Gulf Oil where he was tasked by the Cumberland Farms Group to transform the eastern seaboard assets acquired from Chervon and turn those assets into a successful and dynamic oil company. That company would become Gulf Oil. During his tenure at Gulf Oil Jim sponsored many charitable events featuring Legends of Sports raising money for Cystic Fibrosis, American Cancer, and others. In 1989 as CEO of Gulf Oil Jim met with President George W. Bush at the University of Nebraska to discuss alternative energy. After his time with Gulf, Jim and his wife Phyllis sought a new challenge and would start a family business with their sons Keith and Adam on Cape Cod from purchased assets called Hinckley Home Center, a successful and ongoing building material venture with locations in Harwich and Vineyard Haven MA.

Jim and Phyllis were involved parents when it came to their sons, Keith and Adam, and their sports careers from little league baseball to high school football and college hockey. They traveled many miles to attend their games. Jim also devoted his time to coaching their baseball and hockey teams and became a father figure to many.

Jim was a huge dog lover and had several boxer dogs, and one Portuguese Water dog. Jim was also an avid golfer, skier and sailor and enjoyed life on the water with his family, traveling the coasts of New England. But most importantly Jim was a loving, compassionate, honorable, and caring man. Jim enjoyed meeting new people, and he loved to chat. Jim was a very charitable man who loved to help people. Jim truly loved his family, and he will be dearly missed.

Jim is survived by his wife Phyllis, sons Keith and Adam Wansiewicz and his wife Cindy, grandchildren, Henry and Hannah Wansiewicz and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at The Nickerson Funeral Home, 77 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc Church, 61 Canal Rd. Orleans, MA 02653. His burial will be held at a later date at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the organization of your choice or St, Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or Animal Rescue League of Boston-Cape Cod. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.