James J. Halbach
June 16, 1943 – July 11, 2019
Visitation begins on Friday, August 23rd at 5pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by WAKE SERVICE at 6:30pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, August 24th at 10am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St. Interment: Calvary Cemetery. For memorials, the family suggests Masses or donations to Victory Noll Sisters.
<<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>><<>>
Jim was a very accomplished, humble man. His lowkey lifestyle, self-deprecating sense of humor, love of family, and generosity were evident to all who knew him. A person of great faith, he was a beloved brother, uncle to three generations, cousin, and friend.
While serving his country in Global Weather at Stratcom, Jim worked diligently to improve the ability to track and forecast weather events. Following an honorable discharge, his private career involved technical support at various high-tech companies including more than 20 years at Honeywell. Jim was the “go-to guy” for some of their toughest problems.
He had a talent for “fixing” things and established his first “Fix It Shop” in a room in his parents’ basement at the age of eight.
Hobbies included maintaining a vegetable garden, building “things” and “tinkering,” computer programming (creating programs for Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry as a volunteer), keeping the family genealogy, and taking photos of his family, journeys, and adventures. He created a family newsletter and maintained it on a seasonal basis for many years. Highlights were photos of family members with updates on their recent accomplishments and adventures.
A champion of healthy living, Jim swam, walked, cross country skied and rode his bike while following a healthy diet.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Alice; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Anna; oldest nephew, Mike and youngest nephew-in-law, James Quintana. He is survived by his sister Rosie; nephews: Chris (Michelle), Karl (Noreen), Pat (Susan), and Joe (Jenny); nieces, Jennifer (Bob) Little and Sheila Quintana; niece-in-law Bev; seventeen grandnephews and grandnieces; a great-grandnephew and great-grandniece.
His legacy is his love of God, family and country.
1 Condolence
Jim and I kept in touch via email, but I hadn’t heard from him in quite a long time. After searching for him on the internet, I was shocked… given his attention to a healthy lifestyle… to learn of his passing. Back in the early 70s, Jim and I worked together at Lockheed in southern Mississippi. Although we’d lost track of each other after he left the organization, I was able to re-establish contact with him many years later. I am truly saddened to learn of his passing, and my wife Maureen and I send our sincere sympathies to his family.
Sign Guestbook