Roll Call Tribute

Published in The Record/Herald News (NJ) on May 17, 2012

Hugh Wharton
WHARTON
Hugh E., Jr., 76, of Wayne, NJ, formerly of Wyckoff, NJ, passed away Sunday, May 13, 2012. A native Texan, he is an alumnus of Texas A & M University where he majored in economics and was president of the Student Center. He moved his family to Wyckoff, New Jersey in 1963 to assume the positions of Buyer and National Sales Manager in Sears Roebuck New York offices for 20 years. Subsequently, he joined the American Cyanamid Corporation, Fibers Division, in Wayne as a national sales representative for 14 years, and then spent an additional 8 years in retail sales with Sears.
He held key volunteer positions in four churches, contributing his time and talent in various areas of leadership and service, teaching, singing in the choirs, and working in church administration. He was an ordained Deacon in the Baptist Church, an Elder and a Trustee. Until his death, he was an active member of Cornerstone Christian Church in Wyckoff where he could often be seen grilling hot dogs and burgers for youth activities or setting up coffee and homemade treats for the church's senior members.
He was elected to the Wyckoff Board of Education in 1968 and served 6 years, two as president. He also served on the Bergen County BOE. He was a member of the Wyckoff Jaycees, and a leader in the Wyckoff YMCA Indian Guides Program.
He became involved in Scouting with Pack 309 in Wyckoff as Cubmaster, with his sons Paul and Wayne, recalling his disappointment when his boyhood pack folded for lack of adult leadership. His service to Scouting spanned many years and reached into the national picture where he was Assistant Scoutmaster at a National Jamboree. He also served as a Scoutmaster of Troop 309, Committee Member, Roundtable staff member, District Commissioner for the Ramapo Mountains District, received Woodbadge training and the Commissioner's Arrowhead Award, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the highest and most coveted adult award that can be conferred by a local council of the BSA, in recognition of outstanding leadership, guidance, training, and support.
After moving to Wayne in 2000, he was elected to the Board of Directors of the Manitou Homeowners Association where he resided and served several terms.
Hugh was a member of his Texas high school's 1954 state championship basketball team and was on the track and field team. His interest in sports continued as he played on various softball and basketball teams in Wyckoff, bowled, and enthusiastically supported the Mets, Jets, Knicks and Rangers. He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and camping. In addition, he loved working in the yard, was an enthusiastic gardener, a great chef, and a barbeque master.
Hugh is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart of 54 years, Joyce (nee Armstrong) Wharton, and their three children, Linda Schall and her husband Arlin; Paul Wharton and his wife Laurie; and Wayne Wharton and his wife Beth. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Alyssa and David Schall, Julia and Caroline Wharton, and Christopher, Tyler, and Ryan Wharton; his brother Thomas Wharton and his wife Susan; and two nieces, Kimberly Wharton, and Sandra Churchman, and their families.
Friends are invited to join the family for a memorial service and celebration of life on Saturday, May 19, at 4 PM at Cornerstone Christian Church, 495 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation can be made to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) or to the Red Jacket Endowment Fund, 13 Maple Avenue, Waldwick, NJ, 07643. This endowment assists Scouting activities and provides financial support to deserving young people who would otherwise be financially unable to attend camp.