Jim was born April 17, 1971 at Oak Park Hospital.
Grew up in Berkeley, Il. Attended Proviso West H.S
Attended Univ. of Ill. for three years, then transferred to Loyola, graduated with a degree in History.
His accomplishments:
Working with students in a second chance school teaching computers, also help put together a small newspaper with the students.
Worked with elder people in a nursery home, helping with social and activities; worked with the dementia and Alzheimer's patients.
Traveled to Korea for a year to teach the children English as a second language.
Also quicks trips to Hawaii, Malaysia, Bali and Japan, and possibly other places we are not aware of.
Traveled around China and was in Tiananmen Square during Y2K
Returned to Chicago, became very involved in environmental issue.
Worked hard trying to let everyone know about GMOs and their effect on products. Also, along with others, started petitions to have products with GMO's labeled for the consumers.
Decided to move to Portland in 2002 , which was more active and aware of the issues he believed in.
He was involved in environmental issues and became very involved with the activist movement there.
Began working at Equal Exchange, a fair traded coffee, chocolate, tea company. Was also a board member for some years.
Jim traveled to South America to the farms that the coffee came from,
Hosted many farmers when them would come to see Equal Exchange in Portland.
Took a sabbatical to go to the Amazon for about 6 months.
Jim choose to do a Vision Quest, an American Indian ceremony where one first prepares himself with fasting and prayers for a period of time, when ready, goes up a mountain with nothing but a pad to sit and sleep on, prayer cards, without any food and water for 4 days.
Got the interest to go to India to continue his mediation practice and do yoga.
Remained in India one year, meeting all kinds of people from all over the world.
Worked in the community, helping to organize the office part of Ashram.
Finished up in Portugal, attending retreats, again meeting and sharing with many travelers from around the world.
Throughout his life, he always loved meeting people and hearing their stories.
He always wanted to help anyone in need.
He loved and was deeply loved by his family and friends, always wanting to express his love in his own special way.
Jim was a very kind, compassionate and caring man and will forever be in the heart of all who were blessed to know him. Love, Mom