James (Jim) Wei, originally from Barrington, RI, passed away on July 24,2024. He was a beloved member of the Poquoson, VA community for 23 years. He was 62 years old. James graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1983, embarking on a distinguished career as an engineer at Newport News Shipbuilding. His dedication and expertise spanned 38 years, culminating in his retirement in January 2022.
He was predeceased by his father, Peter, and his mother, Shirley. James is survived by his cherished daughter, Jill; his beloved grand dog, Saber; his brother, Paul; and his sisters, Margaret “Peggy” and Sarah. His family and friends will forever remember his kindness, generosity, and the warmth he brought into their lives.
Jim Wei, KP ’83
8/18/61 – 7/24/24
James was a man of many interests and talents. He found joy in fishing, boating, tennis, and skiing, embracing the outdoors and the thrill of each activity. His love for these hobbies was a testament to his zest for life and his adventurous spirit. James will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love, dedication, and adventure will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
Posted by a friend of Jim:
My first memory of Jim was his hilariously sarcastic but good-natured sense of humor, paired with his keen perception of reality. We were in 6th grade, the 1972-73 academic year, at a school known as Peck. At that moment, he was animated, explaining to several of us working together on a group project why he was not going to be able to bring in his part from home, pointing out how difficult it would be to transport a delicate, bulky cardboard poster-like thing on a school bus with rowdy, pushing and shoving juvenile delinquents. This was a real peril, of course, not an excuse. Both of Jim’s parents worked (probably starting in the early morning), so it was difficult for them to drive him to school.
In truth, Jim had an amazing work ethic and sense of responsibility. In the spring of 1979, he would have been one of the top starters on the Barrington High School varsity tennis team. But instead of realizing high school athletic glory, he dropped off the team to work at MacDonald’s and help pay for upcoming college expenses. This sacrifice inevitably helped not only his parents, but also enabled two of his lifelong friends, Bert West and yours truly, to move up the team ladder. If my memory serves me right, Jim’s application for admission to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy included a recommendation from John Chafee, former Rhode Island Senator and Secretary of the Navy. While many in his peer group were struggling in the mid to late 1980s to establish stable careers, Jim was hired upon graduation to an enviable position as an engineer at the Newport News Shipyard. And, as a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, he retained a commission in the U.S. Navy (Reserve).
Hardworking, responsible, and a solid family man, Jim was equally a lot of fun. I was fortunate to be with him boating on Narragansett Bay, the James River and Chesapeake Bay, skiing at Loon Mountain (NH) and Breckenridge (CO), and for countless games of tennis. I think he won every set we ever played. Jim also loved good food and a good party. One night in the summer of 1983, Jim, Bert and I were at Spats, a bar near Brown University in Providence, when he met Linda. Jim and Linda were married in 1987. I was honored to be a groomsman in their wedding, and many years later, he would return the favor and serve as one in mine.
Jim was the sort of friend that was there for you not just in happy times, but also during life’s hard travails. From at least as far back as 9th grade right up through his last week of life, he was someone with whom you could confide, engaging in lengthy discussion on how to deal with school, peers, and then work, bosses, home maintenance, family matters, care for aging parents, and finally, critical health issues- which he faced with amazing grace.
A tremendous human being, and although ended way too soon, a life well-lived.
— Mike Halliwell