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Donnellan Family Funeral Services

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JAMES AHERN Obituary

James E. "Jim" Ahern, age 51, died June 18, 2012. Jim is survived by his beloved wife Kimberly Dobbins; adoring son Jamie Ahern; his siblings John (Marcia) Ahern, Jerry (Katie) Ahern, Mike (Cathy) Ahern, Tom (Karyn) Ahern, Kevin (Vicki) Ahern, Pat (Katy) Ahern and Mary (Jon) Krunnfusz; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Mary, nee McTigue Ahern. Visitation Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. at Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. Skokie, IL 60077. Funeral Mass Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1077 Tower Rd., Winnetka, IL 60093. Private family burial. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642 (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org). Info: 847/675-1990 or www.donnellanfuneral.com.

Published by Chicago Tribune from Jun. 21 to Jun. 22, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Warmest sympathies to Jim's family, friends, and professional colleagues.

Timothy Lee

July 12, 2012

To Jim's family –

I am so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I've known Jim for over 30 years and while we were not close, I've only known him as a great guy, personally and professionally.

We first knew each other as undergrads at Illinois when we were both members of the student-run concert promoting group, Star Course. We worked together hanging posters, preparing flyers, doing 101 other things to promote the shows, and ushering at concerts. He was terrific at rolling up his sleeves and pitching in to do whatever it took to make a show a success. I remember he was a big fan of anything new wave that we brought to U of I in those days like Talking Heads, Pretenders, English Beat and others. Later he ran one committee as a Junior Manager and booked shows as one of two Senior Managers.

Once we got out of school our paths often crossed professionally and occasionally personally. He was a banker for one of the lenders to my firm where I was a financial manager. Later, I became a financial planner and he helped educate me about ESOPs while he ran Lakeshore. I regret that we never had any opportunities to work together once he moved to ComStock. Still, I'll always think of him first and foremost as a friend and not just a business colleague. And as an Illini. I know he saw a lot of football and basketball games in the years following graduation. He was at the Allstate Arena in March 2005 and saw the Illini beat Arizona in overtime after being down by 15 with four minutes to go. We talked about how that was probably the most thrilling U of I game since we had been there.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Mark Gilbert

July 3, 2012

Please accept my sincerest condolences. May your family find strength through prayer to our heavenly father. - Psalms 65:2

Kristi

June 25, 2012

I'm a niece of Jim's from his wife's side. He was a wonderful man and I have never been more proud to have him as an uncle as I was this weekend. I love you, Uncle Jim, and I can't wait to see you in Heaven someday.

Jessica Clingerman

June 24, 2012

Jim was a great mentor for young ESOP professionals. He always made time to talk with me about my work, family and running hobby. I enjoyed knowing him and will miss seeing him at conferences. He was always positive and light. I am sad that he was taken so soon but his legacy and influence will affect me and others as we move forward in our professional careers. Thank you Jim.

Cecilia Loftus

June 22, 2012

I'm a friend of Jim's twin brother Jerry, I heard he was a great man and will be surely missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family.

Brian Tranowski

June 22, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathies. I had the good fortune to work with Jim several times over the years and he was always the consumate professional. I am deeply saddened by the news and Jim and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless him!

Paul Simons

June 22, 2012

My love and prayers go out to the entire Ahern family! I'm so sorry for your loss! Lean on each other during this time.

Bob Walsh

June 22, 2012

To the family:
Jim was a truly valued ESOP professional. I enjoyed his professionalism and his personal ethic for over twenty years. He will be missed but not forgotten.
John Banasek

John Banasek

June 21, 2012

Kim and Jamie,

As a fellow professional, I had great respect for Jim's capabilities and integrity. What I most appreciated about Jim was what he most valued: being a husband and a father.

I am very sorry for your loss.

David Clarke

June 21, 2012

To Jim's family:

I had the pleasure of working with Jim on an ongoing valuation project for our company, that lasted a couple years.
Jim was fantastic to work with in every way.

I am very saddened by the news, and want to express my deepest condolences.

My thoughts and prayers are with him.

Sincerely

John Stec

June 21, 2012

Jim was a good man and he has made a significant and lasting contribution to the ESOP community for his integrity and quiet competence.

Tim Jochim, Kegler Brown, Columbus, Ohio

June 21, 2012

Uncle Jim truly was a wonderful man and we will miss him, but never forget him. We send you our love and prayers, Aunt Kim and Jamie.

Bob and Jackie Hays

June 21, 2012

Please accept my sincere condolences at Jim's passing. I was a dear friens and classmate of Jim' dad, Gerry and was privileged to offer his funeral Mass. I deeply regret being unable to attend the wake and funeral of Jim so that I might express my sentiments in person. However, be assured I will offer Mass for his repose as well as the solace of the entire family. May the burden of this sadness quickly fade and bring you God's peace. Father Cy Nemecek

June 21, 2012

To Jim's Family,

Jim was an instrumental part of our lives these past nine months and we so enjoyed working with him. He was a true professional and showed tremendous integrity.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely

Dave G.

Dave Goltermann

June 21, 2012

Jim helped so many employee-owners throughout the country; he earned the respect and admiration of the ESOP communtiy here in Indiana to be sure.

My prayers go out to Jim's family and friends during this difficult time. Since I cannot attend the funeral mass in person, I will contact Sacred Heart parish & have a Mass Intention made in Jim's name.

Andy Manchir

June 21, 2012

I worked with Jim many times over the years and it was always a pleasure to do so because of his gentle manner, but also his integrity on valuation issues. I will miss seeing him at ESOP Association meetings where we always tried to sit down and talk (usually there was food and drink involved). My sympathies to his family. We have lost a friend.

Paul Lindemann

June 21, 2012

To Jim's loved ones,
I knew Jim for only a few months in relation to his business, but was always impressed with his absolute engaged professionalism and the fact that he was a gentleman. My sympathies to all of you in your loss.

Bill Powell

June 21, 2012

To Jim's family,

Jim will be long remembered as a giant of a man throughout the ESOP community. He was widely respected as a leader for his integrity, teamwork, intelligence, and friendship. There was no client too tough for Jim. His sense of peace was contagious.

The employee ownership community lost a true champion and a great friend.

I pray you find peace in the memories of a great man, with and incredible legacy of a life well lived. We will certainly keep Jim and your family in our prayers.
Mary Josephs

Mary Josephs

June 20, 2012

Kim, I was very shocked and saddened to hear the news of Jim's passing this week. Jim was very instrumental to my career. He hired me to my first job out of college (Valuemetrics) and invested alot of his personal time training me in my early years. I owe him a debt of graditude.

Matthew Vitellaro

June 20, 2012

Kim,
I was so saddened to hear of Jim's passing, my heart goes out to you, Jamie and your family. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

Kelly Salvati

June 20, 2012

Kim,
My heart goes out to you and Jamie over the miles. I wish you comfort and healing in the time ahead in your loving memories of Jim and in knowing the enormous fondness and esteem with which he was held by his family and friends.
Michele

Michele Morse

June 20, 2012

Kim and Jamie, thank you for sharing Jim with us these many years. He was a special gift and we will dearly miss him.

Terri Dobbins

June 19, 2012

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