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James Westerling Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for James Westerling
Matt W
April 9, 2009
Hey Dad - just wanted you to know that I'm missing you today. Aidan says to say hello . Have a beer for me; and tell Grandma I said hi!
mckenzie and her grandpa
March 28, 2009
mom and dad
March 28, 2009
Mary Beth Spann
March 25, 2009
Dear Westerling and Sauer Families,
My deepest sympathies and love to you at this very difficult time. I am especially sending loving wishes to Jill--I never met you, but if Jim loved you, you must be one special lady.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Like all those who knew Jim, I loved him and his kind, sunny and gentle nature.
Jim and I went to Ken HS together. To me, Jim will always be a fresh-faced 17-year old boy.
I thought so much of Jim (and his equally sweet brother-in-law, Jim Sauer) that I named my own dear son, James, after the two of them.
Jim, we deeply mourn your passing. But even though this loss hurts so much, I feel worse for those people on Earth who never had the honor of knowing you.
Thank you for being such an unforgettable part of my life.
Jim and neice Martha
March 24, 2009
Jim and Jill
March 23, 2009
March 23, 2009
James B. Westerling was born here in Buffalo on November 6, 1953. His
parents, Bob and Denise, settled into their home on Lisbon Street with
Jim, his older brother, Bob Jr., and his younger sisters Barbara and
Paula. Jim was intensely curious as a child, always taking things
apart, and as soon as he could read, Jim was deep into books. It was a
fun neighborhood for kids – there were the pickup touch football games
and plenty of places to ride bikes.
Bike-riding included bike races – in one race the boys were going so
fast that when one had an accident there was a chain-reaction of
accidents, including Bob running-over Jim with his bike. Jim’s face
was so raw his sisters wouldn’t even look at him for a while.
Jim attended Kensington High, and ran on the Track Team. When he
graduated he studied for a while at the University at Buffalo, and
then Jim went to work for Ellicott Paint. Jim enjoyed his time working
there, especially glad for the friends he made there.
Jim was always tinkering – he did most of his own car repairs, which
meant that when the Blizzard of ’77 hit Buffalo and everyone’s car
quit running, Jim’s car was running just fine. The storm hit during
the day while everyone was at work, so when the Ellicott Paint
employees realized they would be sleeping at work for few days, they
took Jim’s car to the nearest corner market and bought the store out
of all its beer and sandwiches.
Jim cherished his children – their earliest memories of Jim are fond
memories, memories of weekly trips to the library to borrow books or
videos, memories of the music that Jim played, and, of course, of the
football or hockey games on TV.
Jim loved music – and he like all kinds of music: the Beatles, Frank
Zappa, and Frank Sinatra, to name just a few. Dinner at Jim’s home was
comfortable, informal, yet it was also always polite – his children
always knew to ask to be excused from the table, and often it was also
necessary to name the capital of a state to get that excuse.
Jim enjoyed card games with his friends – and his favorite hors
d'oeuvres were M&M’s and peanuts.
Jim went back to school in 1983 to study electrical engineering, and
he then went to work for the Simplex Clock Company. Jim was an
outstanding technician, and when he went into sales for Simplex, he
was in great demand from his customers because he remained so
proficient at repairing the equipment he sold. So much so that he
didn’t always have time to make a lot of sales.
It was in 1989 when Jill Monacelli was canvassing the neighborhood to
register voters that she first knocked on Jim’s door. Jill was going
house to house with Joel and Jensen and when she knocked on the door,
it was during the middle of a Bill’s football game. No matter -- the
conversation had sparked something, and after another visit, Jim even
volunteered for a yard sign. Jim, who could probably have repaired the
space shuttle if NASA had asked him, called a couple of weeks later to
ask Jill to fix the sign – it had “fallen over.” The day before
election-day, Jill brought Jim a yellow cake with chocolate frosting –
it became his favorite.
By 1992, Jim and Jill had bought a house together on Euclid, and Jim
renovated the attic there, turning it into a Master Bedroom suite. It
took a lot of beer and time, but when it was finished, it was
beautiful.
Jim was always kind to others. He was a great listener, and even in
these last months he would ask everyone how they were doing. In his
modest way, he fought for life until the last moment, optimistic that
he might overcome his illness. His quiet joy for life, his kindness
and compassion, the complicated tangle of wires he had behind the
electronic equipement, his depth of knowledge and learning – we will
all miss these things of Jim, but his good spirit will always be with
us, reminding us to keep learning and to treasure one another.
Shared at Jim's life celebration by Rev. Joel Miller:
March 22, 2009
Read at Jim's life celebration by Ben:
And if I go
while you're still here...
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
---behind a veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again
---both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to its fullest and when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart
...I will be there
dad playing tennis
March 14, 2009
Kensington High School 1971
March 7, 2009
Bill Blanchard
March 6, 2009
Dear Jill and Family;
We were out of town and I just heard the news today about my friend Jim. The world is a little sadder for me today. You are in our thoughts and prayers Jill. He truely was one of the good guys and I will miss him.
Ken and Kathy Aguglia
March 3, 2009
Dear Bob, Peg and family,
We were sorry to read about the death of your brother. We were out of town and just went through the newspapers. Sending our deepest sympathy for you and your family.
ROBERT P. JOHNSON
March 1, 2009
Dear Jill, Sorry to hear of your loss. All our prayers are with you and your family
Joe & Rene Neilson
February 27, 2009
Matt, Sarah and Westerling Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Uncle Joe & Aunt Rene
February 27, 2009
Dear Jill & family
My deepest sympathy to you at this time. You are in my prayers.
Love, Cooper
Kathy and Rick Kooyman
February 27, 2009
Bob & Family,
Rick and I want to send our deepest condolescences to you and your family. Although we never met Jim personally, through you we know what a special person he was. We hope happy memories of him will fill your hearts and help ease your sorrow. With love and prayers.
Amy Terrose
February 27, 2009
Joel, Jackie, Jensen and Family:
I am sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Helen Flanders
February 27, 2009
Dear Westerling and Sauer Families:
Your YMCA family is praying for all of you. May you that loved Jimmy so, find peace in the belief that his journey has turned to eternal joy. God bless him and all of you.
Your friends at the Brandywine YMCA in PA
Thaddeus V Bieniek
February 27, 2009
Dear Jill and Family: I remember Jim as he passed through the entrance of the UU Church of Buffalo. I remember him to be a real gentleman. It was always a pleasure to see him. Please accept my condolences. May your memories of him sustain you in the weeks, months and years ahead.
Linda Hemstreet
February 27, 2009
Dear Jill, Bob and Family,
I am thinking of each of you and wish that I could be there with you.
I always think of Jim as "Little Jimmy", both words. I dont't know why we called him that, but we did. I can't remember ever seeing him when he wasn't smiling and I'm sure that is what he is doing, with Denise, right now. Looking down and smiling.
Jim's favorite Aunt Linda
KATHY REGAN
February 26, 2009
Jill, I know that you are missing Jim terribly...please take peace & comfort in knowing that so many of us care about you.
Kathy Regan
john macey
February 26, 2009
Matt & Sarah
we are very sorry for your loss, hold your memories near. He will be watching over you and the kids. you are in our thoughts and our hearts.
love, John, Barb, alicia & Amber Macey
Doris Owens
February 26, 2009
Jill,
Words cannot express how saddened I am at your loss of your husband and friend. Please know that I continue to pray for you and am always here for you if you need me. May God bless you and your family and keep you.
John and Christine Koziel
February 26, 2009
Dear Bob, Peggy and family,
We are thinking of you all at this very difficult time and extending our deepest sympathy.
Nancy (Grabau) Marshall
February 26, 2009
To all the Westerling family,
My deepest sympathy to all the family.
Bob and Joan lived across the street from me and my sister, Janet, on Parkdale Ave. Too bad we lose contact through the years, but we have fond memories of those days long ago.
May GOD be with you all.
Sincerely, Nancy (Grabau) Marshall
Mary Jo Flanagan
February 26, 2009
My Dear Cousins and Uncle Bob,
Jimmy is resting in Our Lord's arms today. He suffered so long but knew the love and caring of a wonderful family and friends. He will be watching out for you all now.
My deepest sympathy and love.
Mary Jo
Joanne Licata Gmerek
February 26, 2009
To the Westerling Family,
I'm so sorry for your tragic loss. I grew up with Jim at School 80 and always knew him to be kind and gentle. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this most difficult time.
Joyce McClure
February 26, 2009
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
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