James Mz Griepp

Jim came to us from his family home in Sea Breeze. Perhaps the gentlest giant among us.

He seemed to have the look of his mother in his shy smile. And whenever we spoke, he was thinking first of the needs of others.

He was from a family that excelled in athletics. His older sister was a swimmer and his younger brother a football and basketball player. But for Jim, it was basketball. He was born to play the forward position. Always boxing out and grabbing rebounds. His calf muscles were sculpted as if done by Michelangelo. And they allowed him to defy gravity under the basket.

He would never want any attention drawn to him. Instead, he preferred that others get their recognition. Because he was happiest when others felt accepted and needed. He would smile in those times, and his eyes would shine as if he knew just how important that feeling was to them. And of course he did.

I remember sitting with him in Ridgewood Middle School and discussing football parlays. It was the first time I had ever been introduced to the concept of gambling. He listened to me talk about picking NFL games without the benefit of the point spread, rubbed his chin, and said "well, I think I better help you with this."

I know he will reside forever with the Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael in Heaven under the watchful eye of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May he rest in peace.