James Paige, he loved Germantown

THEY CALLED James Edward Paige Sr. the "Mayor of Germantown."

He loved the neighborhood where he operated two businesses, and the neighborhood loved him.

When he was ill with congestive heart failure and related illnesses in the last four months, he received 184 get-well cards.

James died Monday. He was 88 and lived in Germantown.

He was so fond of his community that no matter where he had to go, he always made it a point to get to his destination by way of the "avenue," even if Germantown Avenue wasn't the direct route.

James operated Paige's Barber Shop and, later, Paige's Take-Out, a deli/grocery store on Germantown Avenue between Washington Lane and Duval Street.

He was born in Appomattox, Va., one of 10 children of Samuel Watson Paige and Agnes Dungee Paige. He left school after the eighth grade to go to work to help support the family as the deprivations of the Depression arrived.

He did farm work and odd jobs to help his father - who was a sharecropper and railroad worker - support the large family.

James joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs for young people, doing roadwork and public-space renovation.

When World War II broke out, James entered the Army and served in the Philippines and Japan, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant.

During a leave in Roanoke, Va., he met Nannie Segora Saunders, and they were married in 1943 in Newport News, Va.

After his Army service, the family moved to Philadelphia. He had a dream of becoming a land surveyor, a skill he was introduced to while serving in the CCC. But that was not to be. Using his GI Bill benefits, he took job-training courses in barbering, house painting and wallpaper hanging. Courses were given in a building that became The Met, in North Philadelphia.

After apprenticing himself to barbers, he opened his own shop using an interest-free loan from friends. Later, after watching how other Germantown business people operated, he opened the deli and grocery store not far from his barbershop.

"He had a great rapport with his customers and neighbors," his family said. "Young men would often go to seek his advice on things from how to light a kerosene heater to tying a bow tie to wear to a prom or wedding."

He organized the barbers in Germantown to work and play together. He started the practice of shops in the area being closed Sundays and Mondays, and was in bowling leagues with his barbering pals.

After being in business for 40 years, James retired in 1992. But he remained on call to cut hair and shave patients in their homes, at hospitals and nursing homes.

"He loved gardening and do-it-yourself projects around the house," his family said. "He often marveled at the technological advances in society and the fact that he went from using an outhouse to attending a reception at the Clinton White House when his daughter Barbara was a White House fellow."

James was a member of Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, for 54 years. He served as a trustee and treasurer, taught a Sunday School class for boys, a men's Bible class and a Wednesday-night adult Bible class.

"He was an adviser, confidant and encourager to many during his lifetime," his family said.

Besides his wife and daughter Barbara Paige, he is survived by four other daughters, Okella Trice, Faye Paige Edwards, Susie Paige and Katherine Cooper; two sons, James Paige Jr. and Jerome Paige; a sister, Viola Hampton; 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Services: 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Baptist Church of Germantown, 29 W. Johnson St.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Philadelphia Area Ministries, c/o the Rev. Ed Carwheel, 5824 N. Lambert St., Philadelphia 19138.