A benefit is being planned for Jim Straub, a Mayfair native and Father Judge High School graduate who died of a brain tumor in January. The benefit will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 7 to 11 p.m. at St. Ephrem Parish Hall, at 5340 Hulmeville Road in Bensalem.
Straub graduated in 1970 from Judge, where he played football and baseball. He graduated in 1974 from Temple University, where he played baseball. He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia Wixted, in 1975. They raised three children, Jim, Michael and Trish, and have seven grandchildren.
In 1979, Straub became a professional magician. He performed for everyone from children to corporate clients. He was funny and likable, and best known as a superb card and coin manipulator.
An engineering firm employee for 39 years and a member and usher at St. Ephrem, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor last June and died seven months later. He was 61.
The benefit will help his family pay for the health-care costs and other financial obligations related to his illness.
The event will feature a magic show and an appearance by sports comedian Joe Conklin.
Tickets cost $50 and include food, wine, beer and music. Guests are welcome to BYOB. There will also be a Chinese auction and a 50/50 raffle.
Monetary donations can be sent to Friends of Jim Straub, P.O. Box 7812, Atlantic City, NJ 08404–7812.
For more information, visit the Friends of Jim Straub hosts “A Night of Magic” page on Facebook.
Or, contact a member of the Friends of Jim Straub Committee: Mike Dufner (609–335–1994), Harry Dumas (484–467–9695), Joe Green (856–207–9122), John Guest (215–280–3226), Norm Gunn (856–577–5502), Pat Gunn (856–577–5503), Rich Haverstick (856–266–1944), Kevin Kilkenny (215–847–3800), Nate Ramsey (215–870–3556), Gerry Sasse (215–913–5502) or Donna Wixted (973–417–1535). ••
