Happy birthday my dear old friend. We were next door neighbors many years. I still can recall our conversations over the fence. Your advice always perfect! Know you are so missed in this world . I know you are in heaven celebrating with your loved ones who have gone before you! RIP my friend!
Today at the Memorial Service many spoke of Jimmy as an adult but let me say he had character as a young man. When i was going into 1b we moved on Welsh Road. My Mother wanted to teach me to be self suffieicent. So even at my young age I collected newspapers. My red wagon was loaded with two piles of newspapers tied down and i started to go the three blocks to the junk yard. A block down the street my papers fell off the wagon. It just happened to be in front of Jimmy's house. He came out and volunteered to help. We got them reloaded and down to the junk yard and split the profits. It turned out that we were in the same class and played every day after school. We became the best of friends thereafter. Both joined the Cub Scouts and then the Boy Scouts. As tent mates I did not understand why some adults did not approve, but that was the 1950's as I was white and he was the only black in our troop. He gave me the the gift that race did not matter among friends. Jimmy was my closest friend growing up and tonight was the first time I cried in many years. Bob Statkiewicz
I have been very fortunate to have been re-connected with my old childhood neighbor and old friend a little while back. I had searched for him throughout the years but could not find him. When I saw in the paper that his Dad had turned 100 and they were celebrating him, I knew I would actually be able to contact him. The staff at the nursing home was wonderful and forwarded a letter to Jimmy. From then on after a long, catch up first phone call, we remained in touch. I was saddened to know that he was struggling with cancer though, and tried to send cards and e mails to be in touch. Many times he was to weak to answer or speak on the phone, but I knew he appreciated the messages.
We were next door neighbors all my life til I married in 1972. We went to the same schools. Even though he was a bit older we always managed to have insight conversations over our fence. Jim could give thee best advice. What a lovely family..all of our family loved the Mc Intoshes.
He led an incredible life and was dear to many people from all over. I feel blessed to have had him in my life and glad that we spoke of our undying friendship in our phone calls and e mails. I will always remember him fondly and know he is in heaven with his Mom, Dad, brother and his daughter. Rest in peace dear friend! Wishing his lovely wife Carolyn, the strength to continue her life and move forward.
Vicki O'Connell
