James Riches Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

New York, New York

A Way With Women
Among the firemen sifting debris at ground zero is a battalion chief, James Riches, who is searching for his son and namesake, known to his family as Little Jimmy.

Jimmy Riches, who would have turned 30 on Sept. 12, is the oldest of four brothers in a family in which uniformed service is a way of life. He served seven years in the Police Department before joining the Fire Department two years ago.

Rita Riches, Big Jimmy's wife and Little Jimmy's mother, does not bemoan her fate. Her second son, Timothy, is a police officer who expects to join the Fire Department next month. Her third, Danny, a college sophomore, placed high on the police exam, which boys like these routinely take as teenagers. Her fourth, Thomas, is a junior at Xavier High School.

Jimmy Riches was a basketball star in high school and college, a gregarious bartender on his nights off. He drove a Mercedes convertible, had a share in a beach house on the Jersey Shore. And he had a way with women. A parade of girlfriends have paid condolence calls, Mrs. Riches said, each wearing a firehouse T-shirt from Jimmy. "They all think they're the only one that has one," she said. "I'm dying the whole visit, hoping another one doesn't show up at the same time."

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I had the honor or carrying a badge with Jimmy’s name and picture on it for our 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb today at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. At 78 ‘flights’ I rang the bell in his honor. Jimmy seemed like a great guy. My birthday is the day after his, I will have a drink for Jimmy to celebrate our birthdays. My heart is with his family. May you find peace knowing what a hero your son/brother was and still is to this day.
-Brenna

Brenna Wodenka

September 10, 2022 | WI

Happy 50th . I know you are partying it up !!! Cheers ....❤

deborah stosko

September 12, 2021 | Brooklyn, NY

Hey Jimmy... woke up this morning thinking of you and thinking... it was a day just like today... that horrific day so many years ago...is it really 20 years?? It does not feel like that much time has passed at all.. and 20 years on... we are still talking about you, thinking of you and any time your name is mentioned...smiles fill the room and laughter fills the air when the stories are told... you certainly left some legacy... still seeing the signs.. so thanks for that.... and Happy...

September 11, 2021 | NY

Hey Jimmy... thoughts of you today and so much sadness fills my heart feeling all that you have missed....life just is so unfair..... you will forever be remembered and you are thought of so often... thanks for the signs.. it brings a smile to my face when I see them... May you forever rest easy... we will never forget... Happy Heavenly Birthday tomorrow.. I have no doubt there is some party up there.... xo

September 11, 2020

Hey Jimmy... in my thoughts today as you always are on this day..... your memory lives on and you still make people laugh when you come up in conversation..... so much time has passed... so many things you didn't get to experience... so many things you missed... it makes my heart hurt to think about it, just so unfair..... I can only pray that your watching from up there smiling at all you see... the signs keep coming... when they are needed most... and love getting that random one, the...

September 11, 2019 | NY

Sending our heartfelt condolences to your family. With each new day may God continue to give the needed help and support. Jimmy touched many many lives and he will always be remembered.

The Kindred Family

November 22, 2018

Hey Jimmy.... 17 years...feels like yesterday... have that pit in my stomach today... same as I did that day... it seems like yesterday.... wanted to say Thanks for all the visits... much more lately...I guess you knew I needed them... and I'm sure you laugh (and think I'm a bit crazy...) when you hear my little partner in crime say "Mama look... it's Jimmy Riches coming to say hi again!" :) and we both look and smile knowing its a message from you! For what its worth, this day isn't any...

September 11, 2018

Jimmy was born on the same date as me, Sept 12, so I was reading up on him. Thank you sir for your bravery on 9/11. I wanted to let his family know that he's not forgotten.

Michael Bunner

September 13, 2017 | Norristown, PA

Hey Jimmy... this horrific day has arrived again... 16 years... still seems as though it happened yesterday...thought about you all day today... the signs always makes me smile...thanks for that... wishing you a Happy Birthday in Heaven tomorrow... you will always be missed.... xo

September 11, 2017

James "Jimmy" Riches

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