Obituary of James David Backman, Jr.

James David Backman, Jr., known to his friends and family as "Jim", passed away on May 18, 2020, at the age of 91. A native of Wayne, NJ, Jim was born at home on October 27, 1928. Jim entered the United States Marine Corps in 1949 and served honorably until 1953. While serving, he married his beloved, Joan, on May 12, 1951. Jim and Joan built their first home together in Wayne. Jim was working full-time at New Jersey Bell Telephone Company while also attending Fairleigh Dickinson University during the evenings. He remained at New Jersey Bell Telephone Company until his retirement in 1990, working his way up the ladder. Jim looked forward to his yearly hunting trips with his long-time friends from New Jersey Bell. He was an avid skier, tennis player, golfer, reader, consummate family man, and an active member of the Marine Corps League. Not only was he a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church in Wayne, NJ, but he helped build the church from the ground up. Jim spent his retirement years wintering in Venice, Florida, and always looked forward to ending his day with a short cocktail while discussing the day's events with his wife. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Joan (Hull), and their three children, James David Backman III (Patricia), Janice Backman-Glasspool (Edwin), and Jeffrey Hull Backman (Wendy), five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Out of respect and concern for the public health and safety, all funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a monetary donation be made in Jim's name to the United Methodist Church in Wayne, NJ.