ForeverMissed
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Tributes
November 13, 2023
November 13, 2023
Jim was the best big brother. Today is his birthday and I still can't believe he is gone. There are still days where I wake up and think "I have to call Jim", always because there is something I want to share with him. I can't bring myself to delete him from my Contacts list. I have him in there as Brother Jim. Every call finished with I love you. His tone would soften when he said it. You could feel the love surrounding it. It wasn't just lip service. You truly knew you were loved by him. He was my protector all of my life. My world was a better place with him in it. I know he is still watching over me and all of us that he loved.
Happy Birthday, Brother Jim. I love you always and miss you so much!
October 16, 2022
October 16, 2022
For all of my life, if he knew it or not, every day my dad has been, and will always be my hero. He taught me to be open minded and to think for myself. To always look for potential flaws in my thinking and embrace or examine them without bias..which could lead me closer to what I could be confident was somethig I could defend as my own intellectual truth. This was true if he disagreed with me or not. (He didnt let that happen often) ..He was certainly a powerful man in any way power can be defined. He was larger than life, he lead every room he was in, and everyone who met him or had the chance to experience his humor, and intellect is better off In their lives for having met him. I will ALWAYS be proud to call James Robert Borgelt my father, and even though I miss him, I know he is with me every day, and for that I am eternally grateful.
June 21, 2021
June 21, 2021
No two ways about it, Jim was a big guy. Thing is - his heart was bigger. Nikki Proutsos noted about regarding his sense of humor, I LOVED that about him. No matter how we argued - and back then ALWAYS CIVIL - about politics, we ended in a laugh, a big laugh. That was another big thing about Jim, not a shy giggle by any means - an uproarious laugh. Of course, most of all, we connected regarding shelter animals. He did so much good, and sadly so many in today's shelter and rescue scene haven't a clue how he set the stage for them. Another big thing....a big soul. And a big booming voice; he could have had my job and would have done darn well at it. 
June 19, 2021
June 19, 2021
We are so grateful for the opportunity to have met and worked with Jim. There was truly no one else like him. He was compassionate, smart, and had a great sense of humor. I can remember laughing each and every time we met. He will be missed by everyone that knew him. ❤️
June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021
We worked with Jim in dog rescue for many years and always enjoyed his keen sense of humor, friendly greetings, sharp conversations, good will toward all beings...
We miss him. 
Ann Markham
John Wockner
June 18, 2021
June 18, 2021
Jim was, in the best sense, a schmoozer's schmoozer. Ever the interesting, knowledgeable conversationalist, he engaged everyone in the room with a ready smile. This talent served shelter animals well in his role as Lake Shore Animal Shelter's Treasurer and Chicago Animal Shelter Alliance's past President.

While his love for animals was apparent, less well-known was his willingness to help people.

I won't forget the time Elizabeth told him I had an incident. Suddenly I lost my ability to stand or walk and fell down the stairs. I needed a ride to the doctors. At the time, I lived one-and-a-half hours from Park Ridge, and my doctor was just off Lake Michigan in Chicago. Jim spent the day ferrying me there, waiting at the office, back to my house again, then back to Elizabeth. I don't know many who would do that, do you? I know he offered this same generosity to others. Perhaps they'll tell their stories here.

Jim touched many lives and will be missed. Rest well.
June 14, 2021
June 14, 2021
Jim, you were always my rock, best friend, shoulder to lean on, partner and loving husband. Did not know you were leaving, I never said goodbye. My heart is shattered. God gave us ALL the gift of your life, your laughter, your wisdom, and your amazing cooking! You were loved and you sure showed love to everyone you met. God must have needed you back, but it sure leaves us with a lot of grief. A beautiful soul. ILYA-Elizabeth

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