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Murrells Inlet James Joseph "Jim" Elekes, Jr., 55 of Indigo Creek formerly of Franklin, NJ died Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at St. Francis Roper Hospital in Charleston, SC. Born in Denville, NJ, he was the son of Anna M. and James J. Elekes. Jim received his BA in Political Science/Communications, MPA with a specialization in Public Policy and, his M.Ed in Leadership and Educational Administration. Less than on year after receiving his BA Jim became totally blind due to complications with insulin-dependent diabetes which developed after a bout with childhood maladies. Despite his disability, Jim completed his MPA (1989) and , at that time was the only disabled individual to have completed the Masters in Public Administration Program offered by Seton Hall University's Center for Public Service Administration. Since the loss of his sight, Jims accomplishments toward advancing quality of life and mainstreaming individuals with disabilities include: Community Education Officer, NJ Commission for the Blind/Visually Impaired, working with former Seton Hall President, Bishop John Dougherty to establish the Electronic Information Educational Service (EIES) of NJ which was NJ's first Radio Reader Service providing "on-Air" broadcast of newspapers, magazines and other periodicals to the State's print disabled population; Accessible Services Coordinator, NJ TRANSIT-Bus where he authored the agencies first comprehensive plan for access to public transit services for people with disabilities; Chairperson, NJ Governors Committee on the Disabled, Policy/Legislative Sub-Committee; Vice Chairman NJ Commission Recreation for the Disabled; Chairperson of the Paper Mill Playhouse, Disabled Theater Access Committee; private Consultant; Presidential Appointee/Public Member, United States Access Board, Washington, DC where he was its Liaison to the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC), co-authoring "Accessibility/Usability Standards for voting technologies procured by States to enable disabled voters to cast votes independently. Jim also served as the Board's Chair, Transpiration Committee, leading activities to update Federal regulations for access by people with disabilities. Presently, Jim devotes his energies to Trans-Access Associates, LLC the consulting firm he founded in 2005 to meet an identified unmet need in academia, public and private sectors to aide in physical and programmatic barrier removal, mainstreaming people with disabilities into all facets of activities of daily life. Since graduation, Jim has focused time and expertise on enhancing the quality of life for individuals within the community, responding to all request for his knowledge, skills and abilities to resolve seemingly irresolvable problems. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th Degree. Surviving in addition to parents of Franklin, NJ and his brother, David Elekes and wife Suzanne of Ft. Wayne, IN; nephew, Dan and personal assistant, Anita Kiser. James was preceded in death by his brother, Michael whom he received a kidney from, grandparents, Anna and Joseph Jugan, Anna and Joseph Elekes and a favorite aunt, Catherine Jugan. Services will be 10:00 AM, Saturday at St. Michael Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00, Friday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel. Memorials may be made to Junior Diabetes Foundation, 26 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 or Seeing Eye Dog Foundation, PO Box 375, Morristown, NJ 07963. Sign guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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James Elekes

May 21, 1958 - November 26, 2013