James John Scanlan

James John Scanlan passed away at his Rose Valley home on March 21, 2022, at the age of 67, surrounded by his wife of 46 years Gena (nee Smith) and his four children Kate (Sina Ghassemi), Adam (Audra), Ian (Fallon Wagner) and Jean, God called Jim home. Jim was a doting husband, supportive father, loving brother, uncle, and Pop-Pop, business leader and devout Catholic.

The fourth of six children, Jim, affectionately known as Jimmy John, grew up in Southwest Philadelphia on Conestoga Street. The son of Daniel and Dorothy (nee Lowry) Jim attended Most Blessed Sacrament and West Catholic. A lover of basketball, football, baseball, and being a West Catholic Burr, Jim attended Ridley High School when his family moved to Ridley Park, as he refused to attend any high school that played against West Catholic. Jim’s request to go to Ridley High proved to be the right decision. There he met the love of his life and wife of 46 years, Gena Smith.

Jim attended Pennsylvania State University Delaware County while working at Triangle Publications as a mailer. After two years, Jim transferred to Penn State’s main campus. There he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1976.

Following graduation, Jim began his career in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand and was admitted to Partnership in 1986. As the firm grew to become PricewaterhouseCoopers, Jim went on to serve in various leadership roles and as a trusted advisor to his clients in the financial, healthcare, and insurance industries. He retired from PwC after serving as United States Insurance Industry Leader and as a member of the Global Insurance Leadership Team from 2003 through 2013. Managing seventy-five partners, he was a member of the PwC Extended Leadership Team from 2007 through 2013. Jim appreciated those who mentored him, and, in turn, mentored many accountants on their way to partnership.

Following his retirement, Jim served on the Board of Directors of The Warranty Group, Jackson National Life Insurance Company and RLI Corporation.

A product of Catholic education, Jim never forgot the people who helped him. He served as a founding member and Vice President of the Board of Directors of Drexel Neumann Academy. Jim was honored to serve as a board member on West Catholic Preparatory High School. He loved the opportunity to use his business skillset to affect change through education.

Jim’s proudest accomplishment was his family.  He loved being a husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather. He enjoyed body surfing on the beach in Stone Harbor with his kids, hosting Thanksgiving dinners, Easter Egg Hunts, and Fourth of July parties with Gena, and squeezing in 18 holes. Jim’s spirit for life was full, and the intention in which he did all things was unmatched. He will be missed greatly.

Relatives & friends are invited to attend his memorial visitation on Saturday March 26 after 9am in the church of St. John Chrysostom, Wallingford followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am.  Int. Private.  In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the James J. Scanlan Scholarship Fund at Drexel Neumann Academy, 1901 Potter St., Chester, PA and/or The West Catholic Preparatory High School, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19139 in Jim’s name.