Obituary for James Llewellyn Tresner
James Llewellyn Tresner, 65, died at home, surrounded by family, on December 15, 2020 after a sudden diagnosis of brain cancer in mid-October. Jim lived in West Hartford with his wife Edith and spent the last two months of his life quarantined with close family members. Jim was a kind, gentle, witty, and generous man, endlessly dedicated to his family.
Jim was born on an American air force base in England before his family moved to Massapequa Park on Long Island. His father was a pilot and cultivated in his son a lifelong love of flying. Jim earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16 - before his driver’s license - and as a teen he would bike to the airport and soar over Long Island in his father’s plane. He completed his associates degree in Aerospace Technology before transferring to SUNY Albany where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. More importantly, it was at SUNY Albany that he met his wife, Edith, in the Madrigal Choir.
Jim’s career began as a CPA with Arthur Anderson & Co.’s office in Manhattan, though he spent the bulk of his working life in multiple roles during his 24+ years at The Hartford. His most recent position was at MassMutual.
A lifelong singer with a beautifully clear tenor voice, Jim performed in community and church choirs. 2020 marked his 20th year as a member of the Hartford Chorale. Jim and Edith especially enjoyed traveling to China with the Chorale as part of the Pre-Olympic Cultural Gala in 2008.
Jim found meaning in using his depth of financial expertise to support his family and causes he cared about in countless ways, including serving as the treasurer of churches where he was a member, and volunteering on the Finance Committee at a youth summer camp. He also helped his family with their estate planning, taxes, and financial management.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of McLean Hospice for their kind care for Jim in his final months, as well as to the many friends who have sent ample delicious food and provided other support during this difficult time. Plans are being made to celebrate Jim’s life with family and friends in late 2021.
Jim is survived by his wife of forty years Edith (Hamm) Tresner, son James Bradford, daughter Tara, son-in-law David, and his beloved baby grandson Tenby. He is predeceased by his mother Thelma Jo (Fitzgerald) Tresner, and survived by his father James W. Tresner, siblings Jolynda and John, cherished in-laws, nephews, nieces, and chosen family members Bill Black and Megan Kearns, as well as many beloved friends and a (very) extended family which maintains strong ties thanks to triennial family reunions in Oklahoma and Missouri, reunions which Jim helped to organize.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Wanakee, a United Methodist summer camp and retreat center in New Hampshire, a special place for Jim and his family. Before Jim's passing, he and Edith felt called to make a donation to Wanakee. The Tresner family has pledged this seed money to support a new health center, an area of increased importance for reopening camp in future summer seasons. You can read more about the project and how to make a memorial donation in Jim's honor at www.wanakee.org/JimT or send a check to Wanakee, 75 Upper New Hampton Rd, Meredith, NH 03253.
Jim was born on an American air force base in England before his family moved to Massapequa Park on Long Island. His father was a pilot and cultivated in his son a lifelong love of flying. Jim earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16 - before his driver’s license - and as a teen he would bike to the airport and soar over Long Island in his father’s plane. He completed his associates degree in Aerospace Technology before transferring to SUNY Albany where he earned a B.S. in Accounting. More importantly, it was at SUNY Albany that he met his wife, Edith, in the Madrigal Choir.
Jim’s career began as a CPA with Arthur Anderson & Co.’s office in Manhattan, though he spent the bulk of his working life in multiple roles during his 24+ years at The Hartford. His most recent position was at MassMutual.
A lifelong singer with a beautifully clear tenor voice, Jim performed in community and church choirs. 2020 marked his 20th year as a member of the Hartford Chorale. Jim and Edith especially enjoyed traveling to China with the Chorale as part of the Pre-Olympic Cultural Gala in 2008.
Jim found meaning in using his depth of financial expertise to support his family and causes he cared about in countless ways, including serving as the treasurer of churches where he was a member, and volunteering on the Finance Committee at a youth summer camp. He also helped his family with their estate planning, taxes, and financial management.
The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of McLean Hospice for their kind care for Jim in his final months, as well as to the many friends who have sent ample delicious food and provided other support during this difficult time. Plans are being made to celebrate Jim’s life with family and friends in late 2021.
Jim is survived by his wife of forty years Edith (Hamm) Tresner, son James Bradford, daughter Tara, son-in-law David, and his beloved baby grandson Tenby. He is predeceased by his mother Thelma Jo (Fitzgerald) Tresner, and survived by his father James W. Tresner, siblings Jolynda and John, cherished in-laws, nephews, nieces, and chosen family members Bill Black and Megan Kearns, as well as many beloved friends and a (very) extended family which maintains strong ties thanks to triennial family reunions in Oklahoma and Missouri, reunions which Jim helped to organize.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Wanakee, a United Methodist summer camp and retreat center in New Hampshire, a special place for Jim and his family. Before Jim's passing, he and Edith felt called to make a donation to Wanakee. The Tresner family has pledged this seed money to support a new health center, an area of increased importance for reopening camp in future summer seasons. You can read more about the project and how to make a memorial donation in Jim's honor at www.wanakee.org/JimT or send a check to Wanakee, 75 Upper New Hampton Rd, Meredith, NH 03253.