Remembering our sweet Dad

Our sweet dad (Jim) passed away October 25th, 2022. He was the most loving, kind and patient person. Dad never knew a stranger. He loved talking to everyone and always offered a smile or a wave to anyone that he encountered. You left feeling better after you saw him.

Born and raised in Detroit along with his sister, brother and identical twin brother. Dad knew the importance of working hard. He passed that on to each of his kids. He was drafted into the Army right after his 18th birthday and served time in the Vietnam War. He came back home and started his career (almost 40 years) working at Chrysler along with his twin brother. Dad met and married our mom (Sandy) and they would later welcome my brother (Jimmy), sister (Nicole) and I (Jackie). They were married for 47 years this past June (2022). They are each other’s universe. Mom and dad had so many adventures and beautiful moments together.

Our dad just lived for my mom and us kids. He just did everything for us kids. Going to our brother’s hockey games and my sister and I bowling matches. Coaching softball, teaching us all how to drive. Helping with homework and showing us how to use tools. Taking us to Tigers and Wings games, Daddy daughter dances and golf ranges. He just loved spending time with us. He was so proud of us kids. Even if it was the littlest thing to us, it was monumental to him. Not only us kids but dad loved our spouses (Nik, Jeff and Allison) and our friends.

His favorite role was being Pops/Papa/Grandpa. Nothing gave him more joy than to spoil and love Lydia, Emily, Maya, Stevie and Charley. It was so wonderful to see him pass his magic to each of those kids. We all are so incredibly lucky and blessed.

Our dad never asked for anything and he never complained. He taught us to be kind and loving to others and taught us the value of hard-work.

Dad loved sports, fishing, golfing, painting ceramics, playing games, animals (we had so many pets that he loved so much) and nature.

He had a special connection to nature. Our parents were snowbirds for a period of time. They had a little place in Florida. One of their favorite things to do was to go see the manatees that came close to shore for the winter months. I got to go with mom and dad and it was pure magic! Other times, dad would FaceTime or send pictures of those gentle giants and he was just so happy and sweet. He loved seeing them. One year, we adopted a manatee for dad from “Save the Manatee” His name is Gator. Gator is a manatee at Blue Spring State Park who was spotted playing with an alligator! Dad joked that he was going to go visit his son Gator lol. That is why we chose this organization as a way to remember and honor our dad. It holds special significance to us. Manatees are gentle, loving and peaceful just like dad.

We have heard from so many people about how dad touched their lives and about how sweet he was. Our family is devastated by his loss. He took a piece from all of us when he left. The world seems more lonely now. Such a beautiful soul. He was there to see each of us 3 kids take our first breath and we were there (along with mom and Nik) with him when he took his last. We will miss the phone calls, the hugs, the silly dancing, the best scrambled eggs in the world but most importantly, we will miss his love, kindness and his sweet smile. There will not be a day that goes by where he is not thought of and remembered lovingly.

Dad, we will love you forever. Thank you for being the best Father, Husband and Friend to all.

Until we meet again.

Our family would like to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support. From messages of love, meals, flowers, cards, helping with our pets etc. Not only did we feel it but dad did too. We are so very thankful and blessed.

We also want to thank you all for honoring his memory by making a donation and for keeping his memory alive.

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Save the Manatee Club, Inc., and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

More information about Save the Manatee Club, Inc.: To protect imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations by raising public awareness; fostering education; sponsoring research and rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts; supporting land acquisition; promoting aquatic habitat protection; advocating for improved protection measures, and funding education and conservation efforts in other countries.