Former Ocean City Council member
Roy John Wagner of Ocean City died on February 15, 2022, at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Oceanview. He was 94 years old. Wagner was born in Camden and attended the former Woodrow Wilson High School. After high school, he attended the then Drexel Institute of Technology in Phila., where he graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce. While at Drexel, Wagner was a standout athlete lettering in both basketball and lacrosse. In 1955, Wagner earned his MBA from Temple University’s distinguished Fox School of Business. During his successful business career Wagner worked for a number of multi-national companies including DuPont, General Dynamics, and ROI Controls of Princeton, NJ. After his retirement in 1995, he followed his life-long dream and moved to Ocean City from Glen Cove, NY where he lived for over 35-years, raised his family, and was active with St. Patrick Church and the United States Power Squadrons. He enjoyed working on and sailing his 23’ sailboat on the Long Island Sound. Wagner was married for nearly 70-years to the late Edwina Liggins Wagner of Phila., whom he met while a student at Drexel. Edwina preceded him in death in 2020. Roy served his Country during World War II and was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1946. Afterwards, he was associated with the VFW and the American Legion. Mr. Wagner was a member of Ocean City Council for eight years from 2004 through 2012. He was the Council Vice President in 2009. As a Councilmember he served on the Zoning Board, the Planning Board, the Aviation Advisory Board, and several City Council ad-hoc committees. Wagner was also involved in several community service organizations including the Ocean City Community Association, the South Ocean City Improvement Association, Fairness In Taxes Association, First Night Ocean City, and was a Trustee of the Ecumenical Council of Ocean City and additionally served as its President. Up until the last few years of his life, he remained actively involved in the Ocean City Ecumenical Council’s Community Food Cupboard, Clothes Closet, and the Easter Sunrise Service Program. He was energetically involved as a member of St. Damian Parish as a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, usher, lector, and as a member of the Knights of Columbus. Wagner is survived by his youngest brother John (Jack) Wagner (Carol) of Stuart, Fla., and his daughter Stephanie Wagner Persico (Frank) of Fulton, Md. He had two grandchildren, Lauren Persico McCarthy (Timothy) of Alexandria, Va., and Robert Wagner Persico (Maranda) of Agoura Hills, Ca., and four great-grandchildren, Logan, Brendan, Margaret, and Devin McCarthy, also of Alexandria. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at St. Francis Cabrini Roman Catholic Church of St. Damian Parish, 2nd Street at Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, NJ where friends may gather from 10 a.m. until the time of the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Damian Parish, 1337 Asbury Ave, Ocean City, NJ 08226. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com