James P. Renshaw Jr.

James P. Renshaw Jr., age 81 of Fairview, Pa. passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. on February 23, 1943, a son of the late James and Ivie (Anderson) Renshaw and grew up in Erie, Pa.

He graduated from McDowell High School  in 1961 and went on to Gannon University before joining WJET as a news reporter in 1963. He later worked at WICU-TV as Program Director. Jim then enlisted in the United States Army, serving in the Reserves, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. 

In 1970 he joined his father at Renshaw Insurance. The family agency grew to become a dominant independent insurance agency serving the greater Erie area. Jim enjoyed working with his clients and was proud of the integrity of their agency. He later became a partner with Renshaw, Hart, Grab & McConahy and also The Bert Company from which he retired in 2009. 

Jim was active in community service throughout his business career and retirement. He held leadership positions with a number of charities including the Boys and Girls Club, United Way of Erie County, Stairways Behavioral Health and Erie United Methodist Alliance. 

He was a founding board member of Second Harvest Food Bank where he remained active for over 40 years. Once retired, he and his wife Pat raised sweet corn on their Fairview property for the food bank for 15 years. To honor James and his family's devoted work in helping the local community of Erie, the food bank held a dedication of forty fruit trees, an orchard, to stand as a testament to his thoughtfulness. 

Boating played a major role in the family's recreational pleasures over the years. Jim could also be found on his John Deere tractor landscaping around their home. He and Pat spent their winters in Palm Harbor, FL where he enjoyed many years of playing golf. 

In addition to his parents, Jim, was preceded in death by his brother, David Renshaw and a foster son, Gary Hampy.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Pat Renshaw (Foster) whom he married on April 11, 1987; two stepdaughters, Melanie Brownhill and Amy Gerrety (Mark); granddaughter, Abby Brownhill, the center of their universe; daughter in law, Kirsten Hampy and her three children, Mitchell, Halle and Matthew; nephew, Brian Renshaw (Camille) and was Opa to their two children, Ava and Tate.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank, 1507 Grimm Drive, Erie, Pa 16501 or Erie United Methodist Alliance, 728 West 9th Street, Erie, Pa 16502.

Friends may call on Thursday, March 21, 2024 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. as well as the next morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Asbury United Methodist Church 4703 W Ridge Rd, Erie.

A Funeral Service will be held there the following morning, Friday at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Bill Hasting Officiating. Burial will be held at Fairview Cemetery. 

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