James Charles McElhenie, Sr., 79, of New Cumberland, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the UPMC-Harrisburg Hospital, Harrisburg, PA.

Born August 28, 1944, in Cleveland, OH., he was the son of the late John Hawkins McElhenie and Helen Justine (Miller) McElhenie. He had celebrated 57 years of loving marriage to Leonore D. (Pertz) McElhenie.

A graduate of Warrenville Heights High School and the ITT Technical Institute. He retired after 27 years of service from Lucent Technologies, a successor of the ATT Corporation. He was a Registered Certified Distribution Designer (RCDD), awarded by Building Industrial Consulting Services International (BICSI) for communications professionals.

He was a United States Navy Veteran having served during the Vietnam War and sang with the Blue Jackets Choir. He was a member of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish in New Cumberland. He was a member of the Marysville PA Lions Club, the Guy E. Shelley Jr. American Legion Post No. 974 in New Cumberland, the Punta Gorda Isles Seafarers Boat and Car club. He served as a Scout Master, a baseball coach and was a women's fast-pitch softball coach. For 20 years, the snowbird enjoyed New Cumberland, PA summers and Punta Gorda, FL winters. He enjoyed his fast cars and being captain of his fast boat.

He is survived by his loving wife Leonore, two sons James Jr. and his wife Doris, Shawn and his fiancé Melissa Jackson, five grandchildren Ceena Ford, Tylor James, Emilie Lorraine, Garrett Paul, and Olivia Leeann. A brother, Thomas. His brothers-and- sisters -in- laws Jackie Pertz, Janet Pertz Geyer and her husband Michael, Louis Pertz and partner Anita Winston, and Eileen Byers. He is also the uncle and great uncle to many loved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Richard and sister-in-law, Janet and a brother-in-law, James Pertz.

Visitation to be held from 11:00 AM until 12:00 PM, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, in the Myers-Baker Funeral Home, 1903 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Parish, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland, PA 17070.