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James Grumley Obituary
James J. Grumley, age 94, died on December 10, 2015 from natural causes.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Huntington, Eloise Masters the mother of George Grumley (Heidi), Christine O'Connor (Brian), James D. Grumley (Gale), Joan Broderick (Tom); his ten grandchildren, Brian O'Connor (Debbie), Moira O'Connor-Perez (Jose), Cara Grumley Wetters (Nate), Regan Weinke (Matt) and Ally Grumley, Elizabeth, Michael and Patrick Grumley and Thomas "Spike" III and Emily Broderick; his great grandchildren, Olivia, Addison and Adriano; and his many Grumley/Sullivan nieces and nephews. He cherished them all.
Born in Champaign, he was an Eagle Scout, and graduate of University of Illinois in Champaign where he met and married Eloise Lorton. He served as a Naval Officer in the Atlantic and Pacific arenas during WWII, then moved to Joliet, with his family and built the largest CPA firm in Will County.
While in Joliet, he served as President of Rotary, was Treasurer for the Will County Republican Party, and enjoyed working with Thomas Feehan and George O'Brien in Republican politics.
He retired from his accounting practice, and moved to Washington D.C. where he served as the comptroller of the National Republican Committee for Gerald Ford. Jim then returned to Chicago where he resided until his death.
He enjoyed membership in the Bohemian Grove in San Francisco and served on the Small Business Administration Board for the tenure of three US Presidents.
His founded "Water Is Life" a not-for-profit organization that dug water wells and brought potable water to millions of Nigerians. He was made Chief Nwannedinambal (Brother in a Foreign Land), by the leaders of the Ibo tribe in Amuzi, Nigeria, the site of the first well. His last trip to Nigeria was at age 86. Evanston International Rotary made him man of the Year in 2007. He continued his philanthropic work until his death founding ARI, a not-for-profit organization which was working on making micro-loans available to small Nigerian farmers.
He was a server at the 7:00 a.m. Mass at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church for 25 years until he retired from that post at the age of 93.
Visitation will be at St. Margaret Mary's Church, 2324 W. Chase, Chicago, on December 26, 2015 at 12:00 Noon with Mass to follow.
For information, 847-234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Grumley
Des Burke-Kennedy
August 2, 2017
In 1966, as a University student from Ireland, Jim hired me for a Summer to work in his Joliet office. I will never forget his warm generosity. In fact it had a major impact on my life. I will always remember Jim in my prayers. Des Burke-Kennedy
Dave Meiners
December 23, 2015
Jim,
Our prayers are with you and your family. What an amazing man.
Sally Skiotes
December 22, 2015
Grumley Family,
Deepest sympathy in your loss.
December 22, 2015
Jim and Gale, my sincere condolences. What an interesting man! May your memories keep him close and may he rest in God's arms forever.
Your old friend,
Elizabeth Bishop
JO ANNE SKIOTES-MOLNAR
December 21, 2015
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY YOUR LOSS.
MAY GOD GIVE YOU COMFORT DURING THIS TRYING TIME.
JO ANNE SKIOTES-MOLNAR
Rick Ruzicka Chuck Coster
December 20, 2015
We enjoyed discussing the water projects in Africa with Jim. Our deepest sympathy.
December 19, 2015
God Bless You Uncle Jim. We'll See You Again Someday In Heaven. Love, Mike
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