FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| James W. “Diamond Jim” Polis |
| December 31, 1937 - January 17, 2025 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Friday, February 7, 2025, 10:00 to 11:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, FeastervilleFuneral Service - Friday, February 7, 2025, 11:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Feasterville Graveside Service - Friday, February 7, 2025, 12:45 PM at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, Ambler |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church - 65 East Street Road, Feasterville, PA 19053 - 215-357-8138 - Map |
| Cemetery - Whitemarsh Memorial Park - 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler, PA 19002 - 215-646-7500 - Map |
| Family Florist - Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts - 73 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974 - 215-355-1550 - Map |
| Donation - Bucks County SPCA - PO Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931 - 215-794-7425 - Map |
The following obituary was written by James’ family.
James William Polis passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 87. Jim was a longtime resident of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, where he shared a home with his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Nancy (née Freed), who preceded him in death in 2014.
Jim is lovingly remembered by his siblings—Elaine Polis Cavaliere, Gerald Polis, Diane Polis, and Deborah Polis Carter—as well as many nieces and nephews: Karen Freed-Kashner, Cindy Freed-Mailahn, Gail Aveson, Dorinne Dawes, Nancy Cisewski, Michael Cavaliere, Catherine Cavaliere Caldwell, Paul Cavaliere, Lorraine Cavaliere Morris, Karen Cavaliere Zitomer, Martin Riley, Keith Polis, Heather Polis, and Jasmine Carter.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald Polis and William Polis.
Born on New Year’s Eve 1937 in Philadelphia, Jim was the second son of the late William and Amelia Polis (née Heintz). Jim joined 2-year-old brother Ronald (Ronnie) and welcomed five more siblings over the years: Elaine Polis Cavaliere, William (Bill) Polis, Gerald Polis, Diane Polis, and Deborah Polis Carter.
During his early years, Jim and his family moved several times within the Philadelphia area but settled in the city’s Burholm neighborhood (now referred to as Fox Chase) for much of Jim’s youth. There, Jim and his siblings attended Crossan Elementary School, the same school their father had attended. His teen years were a “colorful” time, according to his family. As a teen, Jim—nicknamed “Jody” by his friends—developed a close-knit group of lifelong buddies from the Cheltenham area. He shared adventures and mischief with them along Rising Sun Avenue, creating memories he cherished throughout his life.
For high school, Jim decided to join his older brother, Ronnie, at Mastbaum Vocational High School in Philadelphia to become a certified electrician. Ronnie pursued automotive studies at Mastbaum, later becoming racecar driver. Tragically, in 1957, Jim and his family lost Ronnie at the age of 20 in a deadly crash at Conococheague Speedway in Hagerstown, MD. Although this loss impacted him deeply, Jim carried on their shared love of racing and was a lifelong fan of NASCAR and motorsports. He owned many sports cars throughout his life and was an active member of the Delaware Valley Corvette Club. His fellow Corvette enthusiasts bestowed upon him yet another nickname, affectionally referring to him as “Diamond Jim.”
Jim met the love of his life, Nancy, at Thunderbird Lanes in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and the two were married on October 3,1964 in Elkins Park. According to their family, Jim and Nancy complemented each other perfectly—with Nancy’s cool practicality balancing Jim’s sometimes big and bold ideas! Together, they created a warm and welcoming home in Hatboro, where they hosted numerous, memorable family gatherings and holiday celebrations over the years.
Jim and Nancy also enjoyed outdoor adventures, particularly at their farm in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where they welcomed family and friends for hunting, recreational shooting, and ATV riding. The couple also loved traveling and were members of the Vereinigung Erzgebirge German Club on Davisville Road for many years.
Jim and Nancy were devoted to their dogs, sharing their home with several beloved pets over the years. After losing Nancy in 2014, Jim adopted Gracie, who was his constant companion until her recent passing in November 2024.
Jim had a long and successful career as an electrician. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Relatives and friends were invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Friday, February 7, 2025:
•10:00 a.m.: Visitation at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 65 E Street Rd., Feasterville
•11:00 a.m.: Funeral Service at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
•12:45 p.m.: Graveside Service at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler
Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Bucks County SPCA.
www.wetzelandson.com
James William Polis passed away on January 17, 2025, at the age of 87. Jim was a longtime resident of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, where he shared a home with his beloved wife of almost 50 years, Nancy (née Freed), who preceded him in death in 2014.
Jim is lovingly remembered by his siblings—Elaine Polis Cavaliere, Gerald Polis, Diane Polis, and Deborah Polis Carter—as well as many nieces and nephews: Karen Freed-Kashner, Cindy Freed-Mailahn, Gail Aveson, Dorinne Dawes, Nancy Cisewski, Michael Cavaliere, Catherine Cavaliere Caldwell, Paul Cavaliere, Lorraine Cavaliere Morris, Karen Cavaliere Zitomer, Martin Riley, Keith Polis, Heather Polis, and Jasmine Carter.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ronald Polis and William Polis.
Born on New Year’s Eve 1937 in Philadelphia, Jim was the second son of the late William and Amelia Polis (née Heintz). Jim joined 2-year-old brother Ronald (Ronnie) and welcomed five more siblings over the years: Elaine Polis Cavaliere, William (Bill) Polis, Gerald Polis, Diane Polis, and Deborah Polis Carter.
During his early years, Jim and his family moved several times within the Philadelphia area but settled in the city’s Burholm neighborhood (now referred to as Fox Chase) for much of Jim’s youth. There, Jim and his siblings attended Crossan Elementary School, the same school their father had attended. His teen years were a “colorful” time, according to his family. As a teen, Jim—nicknamed “Jody” by his friends—developed a close-knit group of lifelong buddies from the Cheltenham area. He shared adventures and mischief with them along Rising Sun Avenue, creating memories he cherished throughout his life.
For high school, Jim decided to join his older brother, Ronnie, at Mastbaum Vocational High School in Philadelphia to become a certified electrician. Ronnie pursued automotive studies at Mastbaum, later becoming racecar driver. Tragically, in 1957, Jim and his family lost Ronnie at the age of 20 in a deadly crash at Conococheague Speedway in Hagerstown, MD. Although this loss impacted him deeply, Jim carried on their shared love of racing and was a lifelong fan of NASCAR and motorsports. He owned many sports cars throughout his life and was an active member of the Delaware Valley Corvette Club. His fellow Corvette enthusiasts bestowed upon him yet another nickname, affectionally referring to him as “Diamond Jim.”
Jim met the love of his life, Nancy, at Thunderbird Lanes in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and the two were married on October 3,1964 in Elkins Park. According to their family, Jim and Nancy complemented each other perfectly—with Nancy’s cool practicality balancing Jim’s sometimes big and bold ideas! Together, they created a warm and welcoming home in Hatboro, where they hosted numerous, memorable family gatherings and holiday celebrations over the years.
Jim and Nancy also enjoyed outdoor adventures, particularly at their farm in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where they welcomed family and friends for hunting, recreational shooting, and ATV riding. The couple also loved traveling and were members of the Vereinigung Erzgebirge German Club on Davisville Road for many years.
Jim and Nancy were devoted to their dogs, sharing their home with several beloved pets over the years. After losing Nancy in 2014, Jim adopted Gracie, who was his constant companion until her recent passing in November 2024.
Jim had a long and successful career as an electrician. He was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
Relatives and friends were invited to celebrate Jim’s life on Friday, February 7, 2025:
•10:00 a.m.: Visitation at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 65 E Street Rd., Feasterville
•11:00 a.m.: Funeral Service at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
•12:45 p.m.: Graveside Service at Whitemarsh Memorial Park, 1169 Limekiln Pike, Ambler
Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Bucks County SPCA.
www.wetzelandson.com
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