Then one day, Wilcomes decided that he had a calling - a higher calling. He walked away from a life as a truck driver and decided to become a professional ordained minister in the Church of God.
"There's an old saying that a farmer has to lay down the plow and pick up the Bible," Wilcomes once said. "Well, I parked the truck and picked up mine. I always had it in me, always had an interest. It wasn't easy for me. I took the roundabout route. It just took a little while for me to get going."
Wilcomes, a native of Weehawken who moved to Union City and North Bergen, went to school to study his faith and had a probationary period of five years. He had to make sure that he was certain that he wanted to follow a life in religion.
In 1971, the now-Rev. Wilcomes received his permanent assignment - near the church where he had first attended services in Union City.
Influential leader
Wilcomes became the pastor of the Community Church of God, the Protestant-based house of worship on Fifth Avenue, and eventually became the most influential religious leader in the township of North Bergen for more than three decades.
Wilcomes was the ecumenical and spiritual cornerstone of the town, appearing at practically every official function to give words of benediction and praise. He performed weddings by the thousands and presided over christenings and funerals. He was asked to give his spiritual guidance all over town.
Wilcomes eventually became the chaplain of the township, especially the police and fire departments. After he retired from his ministry and position as pastor of the Community Church of God in January of 2005, he moved to a retirement home in Paramus with his wife, Emma.
Mrs. Wilcomes passed away last December, and her husband followed suit last Sunday. He was 91.
Son is principal
David Wilcomes, the reverend's son and the principal at Union Hill High School, said that his father was still active until the last few months.
"He was like the unofficial greeter at the home," David Wilcomes said. "He said to me, 'These old people have a lot of problems.' He was always one with a joke. He managed to get around and his mind never went. The last few months, after my mother passed away, he went into gradual decline. That's what happens after you've been together for 68 years. He went peacefully, doing what he wanted to be doing, which was sitting in his recliner, watching the Yankee game. He didn't suffer."
David Wilcomes said his father left a "strong legacy" of generosity and caring in both North Bergen and Union City.
"He was a great man," David Wilcomes said. "I never heard him say an ill word of anyone. He cared for everyone."
While Rev. Wilcomes loved the many facets of his position as pastor, he adored being the police and fire chaplain.
"I always called him the 'frustrated fireman,' " David Wilcomes said. "He loved being there for the firemen. He took care of them and they respected him. He would get up at 3 in the morning to go to a fire and help the firemen in any way he could. The thing he wore more than anything else was a blue windbreaker with the words 'Fireman's Chaplain' on it. He was very proud of that."
Rev. Wilcomes was also the chaplain for the APA Trucking Company for 28 years, helping his brother truck drivers.
"I went all over with APA," Rev. Wilcomes said in a January, 2005 interview. "They flew me in a helicopter to events. There was no limit to what I could do. Everything was always interesting and I always enjoyed what I was doing. North Bergen was always a wide open field."
Loved everyone
While serving APA in 1974, Rev. Wilcomes was introduced to someone who used the recreation center there on a regular basis and would later become a close, personal friend.
"Reverend Wilcomes used to take his wife, Emma, to APA to use the pool, and that's where we met," said North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco. "I always enjoyed his company, and he became an extremely giving person to the people of North Bergen for many years. Our friendship developed over the years. This is a loss that I take quite personally. He was truly a good person who cared about everyone."
David Wilcomes said that his father never concerned himself with a person's religious denomination.
"Whether someone was Jewish or Catholic or whatever, he didn't care," David Wilcomes said. "It didn't matter if it was someone who wasn't his parishioner. He had a great relationship with the people of North Bergen and he really had a love for North Bergen. He was always proud of what he did and where he came from. He always did everything without much fanfare."
David Wilcomes said that he was inspired by his father's unwavering devotion to help others.
"He was a great example to me and my brothers," Wilcomes said. "He was a terrific role model. He left a legacy that money can't buy and left an impeccable reputation that he created. I try to live like him, by the example he created. It's sad that he's gone, but we all know where he is now. We don't have to worry about where he's going."
Survivors
When he retired in January of 2005, Rev. Wilcomes reflected on his three decades of religious service.
"It was a great 33 years," Rev. Wilcomes said at the time. "I loved every minute of it. I hate to go, but I know this is for the best I had a lot of good moments, good opportunities. It hurts me deeply, but I'll have nothing but fond memories. I guess I made the right choice parking the truck."
Rev. Wilcomes is survived by his three sons, Ronald, Gary and David; a sister, Dolores Martin; seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Vainieri Funeral Home in North Bergen handled the services.
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