James "Harley" Rectenwald Memorial Fund

My cousin, Kelli Care, started bringing Jim to family dinners around twenty years ago. We're a nerdy family and here comes this guy with earrings and a leather jacket and a smooth radio DJ voice. I was a little in awe of how cool he was. Two decades later and he became one of my favorite parts of family get-togethers. His infectious laughter, his funny anecdotes, his wisdom. We lost Jim in the early hours of January 3rd due to complications from multiple organ failure. 

Many of you know him from his long career spinning records for WQMF under the moniker "Harley." Or from riding motorcycles with him. Or from the fact that he never knew a stranger. However you knew Jim, we owe the laughs he gave us, the joy he brought us and he would want us to pay that back by helping his wife during this difficult time.

Medical bills and funeral expenses are never cheap and the mourning process is going to be difficult for Kelli. Money won't make it disappear but it will help her focus on that process instead of the finances, so give  to or share this GoFundMe if you can. All donations will be delivered to Kelli to use as she sees fit. 

The last time I spoke with Jim was at Beau's (my cousin, his brother-in-law) wedding. He was thanking me for running the live video for Beau's father-in-law, who lives in Turkey, so he could watch the ceremony. He never mentioned his health, though it was clear to see he was putting on a strong face. Instead, he wanted to focus on the ceremony and put the focus on the newlyweds. I wish I got to talk to him again but that last conversation really encapsulated Jim: he was the coolest.