Passed away peacefully at the age of 85. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Joan (nee Vollmer) Beebe, and daughters Kathy, and Laurie (Bill) Kiley, step-granddaughter Sarah (Eric) Gadsby of Parkville, Maryland; step-grandson Robert (Sarah) Kiley of Irondequoit; step-great grandchildren Levi, Lucas, Rosemary, Hannah, and Bram (fondly referred to as Grandpa Jim). He also leaves behind many close relatives and very dear friends and will be deeply missed by all. He is predeceased by his close nephew Thomas (Kent) MacDonald.
Jim was born and raised in Rochester, NY and attended St. Michael’s and Thomas Alva Edison Technical and Industrial High School. Jim retired from Eastman Kodak Co. in 1991 after 29 years of service. He (and his family) had the wonderful opportunity to live in Kirkland, Washington in the early 1980’s when he was transferred there for a Marketing position as a Technical Sales Representative (TSR) for Kodak, before returning to Rochester in 1984. Jim and Joan took many trips through the years which included Europe; a Caribbean cruise; Disney World in Florida; the Adirondacks; Boothbay Harbor in Maine; Calabash, North Carolina; Frankenmuth, Michigan; and even a train trip out West. Jim had various odd jobs after retirement such as working at Caldor (even dressing up as Barney!), working at a liquor store, driving cars around for National Car Rental, and even working at the airport as a screener.
Jim was a proud veteran of the United States Army (Korean War). He was able to take part in an Honor Flight Mission (M48) to Washington, DC (June, 2016) with his daughter Laurie as his guardian. That trip meant so much to Jim and after which he became very much involved with Honor Flight Rochester and always looked forward to going to all the homecomings and various events related to Honor Flight.
Jim loved tending to his garden, yardwork, taking care of his raspberry bushes, snow-blowing the driveways, canning, cross stitch, and making beautiful scroll saw creations. Although he wasn’t a huge sports fan, he did occasionally enjoy attending a Red Wings baseball game and watching the Buffalo Bills, even attended a couple of football games in years past. Jim also loved old movies, comedies, and the history channel (he would have become a history teacher, but life took him in another direction). He also loved SPAM, white cream chocolate donuts, a roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, and lots of ice cream!
The family would like to thank all the staff at the VA Medical Center in Canandaigua Hospice Unit 7A, the staff at the VA Medical Center in Bath, and the staff of Lifetime Care. We can’t thank you enough for the excellent care you had given to him and for the support shown to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to either, the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or Honor Flight Rochester.
No prior calling hours. A Funeral Mass is planned for Saturday October 10, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 296 Flower City Park, Rochester, NY 14615. Interment will be private at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
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