James Beirne Sr., 89, Realtor in Delco

James J. Beirne Sr., 89, a Delaware County Realtor who was active in community and church affairs, died Saturday, Jan. 3, of complications from diabetes at the Southeast Pennsylvania VA Center.

A longtime resident of Drexel Hill and then Newtown Square, Mr. Beirne had lived at the center in Spring City, Chester County for the last five years.

Born in Narberth, Mr. Beirne graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1943 and immediately joined the Army. He served during World War II in the Alaska Peninsula.

After the war, he worked as a mortgage loan officer at Bryn Mawr Trust, where he met his wife, Jean Ursula Stanley.

In 1946, Mr. Beirne and partner Lester Elliot opened Aron-Drex Realty in Pilgrim Gardens, and they later built an office on Township Line Road across from St. Dorothy Roman Catholic Church in Drexel Hill.

Home sales were brisk after World War II. In some cases, the two men provided advice to baby boomers and later, the boomers' offspring.

"Dad was always there for friends and parishioners who needed a little extra help with their starter home, which set them on a strong financial path," said son James Jr.

According to son Daniel, who joined the firm in 1983, Mr. Beirne brokered thousands of home deals in Delaware County. Mr. Beirne and Elliot also owned Aron-Drex Insurance Agency with James McKeighan.

In 1989, Mr. Beirne established the first RE/MAX office in Delaware County. In 1994, he sold out to his son, Daniel, and business partner Mike D'Adamo.

Mr. Beirne dedicated his free time to building the church at St. Dorothy's Parish and the expansion and management of the Aronimink Swim Club in Drexel Hill.

At St. Dorothy's, he debuted basketball intramurals for children in grades five through eight. As an Aronimink board member, he helped bring tennis to the swim club.

Mr. Beirne was an exceptional softball pitcher, often playing in three or four summer leagues and pitching in two or three games a day, his sons said.

He was a regular at the Men of Malvern Retreat and active with the Knights of Columbus.

"Dad was a devout Catholic," said son Michael. "He never missed a Sunday Mass and always attended Lenten Masses at St. Dorothy's before walking across the street to work. He made sure he was at Sunday Mass at the VA right up until last week."

In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by another son, Jerry; daughters Barbara Kagen, Charlotte Schug, and Susan Mills; 19 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a brother. Another son, Brian, died earlier.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Dorothy Roman Catholic Church, 4910 Township Line Rd., Drexel Hill. A visitation starts at 9 a.m. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to Elwyn Institute, 111 Elwyn Rd., Elwyn, Pa. 19063. Attn: Joanne Bias.