James (Jimmy) Richard Humpage

Humpage, James Richard Jim, Jimmy or "Hump" as he was known to his many friends, 72, passed away at home in Tequesta, FL on October 26, 2015 after a valiant battle with cancer. A long-term resident of Tequesta, Jim was born August 24, 1943, in Hartford, CT, to parents Harold A. Humpage and Margaret "Peg" M. McLarney Humpage. He is survived by his loving wife Bethany, his three sons, Matthew Humpage (Aline) of Salses , France, Christopher Hessberger (Tara) of Coconut Creek, FL, Todd Hessberger of Red Lion, PA, his eight grandchildren, Morgane, Arthur and Achilles Humpage, Xander and Cole Hessberger, Emily Cohron, and Aliah and Mason Hessberger. He is also survived by his dear cousins in CT, Bob (Joan) and Ken Leech, his cousin Jimmy Leech of Sarasota, FL, his loving mother and father-in-law, Anne and Ward Bertholf, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dave and Sue Bertholf, four nieces and a nephew, and four grand-nieces and two grand-nephews. Jim graduated from Bristol High School, Hartford, CT, in 1962. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving in large part in Europe until getting an honorable discharge almost five years later. Returning to CT, in 1967 he enrolled in a five-year technical school with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Following school, he worked as an electrician in CT until moving to the Tequesta area in late 1975. In 1976 he changed direction and was selected for the Palm Beach County Police Academy where he met his future wife Bethany who was also attending the Academy. Following graduation, they both, for a time, served as police officers for the Village of Tequesta. Reversing direction, Jimmy returned to the electrical business and then in 1991 established his own electrical contracting company in Tequesta, running it, with Bethany, successfully until selling it just months ago. During that time he became interested in Tequesta governance and politics, serving on a number of boards and committees. He ultimately served on the Tequesta Village Council for eight years (March 2004 - April 2012) including as Mayor from March 2005 to March 2008. In 2007 Jim was instrumental in getting the American Legion Post 271 Headquarters building annexed into the Village of Tequesta. And in November 2014 he was elected as Commander of Post 271, resigning in September 2015 due to poor health. "Hump" was an only child because that particular mold was shattered following his arrival. He was most proud and grateful for being the driving force behind the vision, design, creation and establishment of Tequesta's Friends of Public Safety 9/11 Monument standing on the Village Green in tribute to the victims and heroes of 9/11, and subsequently dedicated to Jim for being a selfless leader in civic service and an ardent supporter of the men and women of law enforcement, fire-rescue and our armed forces. There will be a memorial gathering on Friday, November 6 from 4 – 6 P.M., with the memorial service at 6 P.M., at Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, 250 Center St, Jupiter, FL. There will then be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, November 8 from 3 – 6 P.M. at the American Legion Post 271 Hall, 775 U.S. Hwy 1, Tequesta, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Friends of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4442, Tequesta, FL 33469; American Legion Post 271, 775 U.S. Hwy 1, Tequesta, FL, 33469; Hospice of Palm Beach County, 5300 East Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33409.