Mr. James Jim Jerome Schici

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Jim, it summarized in every way who he was. He was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around him and always thinking before acting. He was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything he did. He was a friendly person who truly cared about those around him.

      Jim was born January 15, 1947 at Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago on a Wednesday at 9:25P. He was the son of Edward Francis Schici and Eleanor Joan Kelley. Raised in Chicago at 3626 N. Ashland Avenue, he was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, he learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that he would carry with him throughout his life.

      As a young boy, Jim was always aware of how others around him felt and this quality served him well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Jim was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Jim was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where he could concentrate, Jim also had the ability to relate well with his family and friends. Jim was raised with four siblings. He had two older sisters, Nancy and Judy, one older brother, Mickey, and a younger sister, Monica. Jim was constantly involved in activities with his family. He and his siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

      Growing up, Jim was one of those kids who didn’t need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. He was content to entertain himself. Jim was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, he was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything he did as a child, Jim was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other kids around him. Jim took part in a number of activities as a child. He loved to play softball at Hamilton Elementary school yard, and basketball anytime, anywhere. He was an altar boy at St. Andrew Catholic church. Jim's favorite neighborhood spots where he'd go shopping with or for his mom were Paulina Market, a full service meat market at 3501 N. Lincoln, and Dinkel's Bakery, a venerable German pastry shop now at 3329 N. Ashland.

      Jim enjoyed learning. He always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Jim was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. He often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Jim was painstaking and accurate in his efforts. All of these talents culminated in his attendance at Lake View High School at 4015 N. Ashland. Jim enjoyed some courses more than others, especially wood shop and who didn't like lunch! Jim's favorite teacher was Mrs. Tracy at St. Andrew grade school, who liked him a lot and was always fair.

      Most people would say that Jim was shy until they got to know him. Those who were privileged to know him well learned that he was a solid, good friend. Jim was reluctant to generalize about people, and he based his friendships on his personal experiences. Because of this, Jim best trusted those people that he truly knew. He was concerned about how those around him felt, and he always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. He could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that he made, Jim kept. While growing up, some of his best friends were Bill Timrick, Jimmy and Charlie Seitz. Later in life, he became friends with many wonderful people to numerous to mention and listing them wouldn't be fair. It's safe to say his friends always knew who they were. Jim was a man's man and just as he treasured each of his friendship, he himself was the best friend you could have.

      Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was true for Jim when he and Cathy Totman married on April 5, 1968. They had four daughters and Jim was a loving and good father to them. He had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because he trusted emotions, Jim was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way he seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around him, always thinking before acting. In addition, Jim was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around him might be, he seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule. Jim's daughters, Debbie, Kelly, Julie and Kara, who all shared their mom's middle name Ann, would later in life bless him with six grandchildren, Jake Daniel, Ethan Ryan (Kelly/Dan Eaker), Michael Christopher, Madeline Maureen (Julie/Jeff Fuerst), Luke Anthony, Shea Lynn (Kara/Tony Donaldson).

After a divorce in 1984, Jim met Sue Tario in 1988 and they married in June 1992 in a civil ceremony on Navy Pier. He was totally committed to Sue and maintained is traditional ideals about marriage. He was a loving, funny, kind and extremely patient husband. He was a solid provider not only of life's basic needs, but he gave consistently strong emotional support that lead to a solid secure marriage. Jim hated conflict, but didn't back away from it either. He loved and always sought to maintain peace and harmony, even in the most trying times. He had a temper for sure, but would keep it at bay, remaining quiet until the time was right to speak his mind. And when he'd speak, he always made his point!

      Jim was an Elevator Mechanic and always on point. Without hesitation, Jim could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Jim was employed 40 years as a union mechanic from October 1969 until retiring in October 2009. During that time, Jim excelled in hard and heavy construction, working with some of his best friends, helpers and fellow mechanics. He was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Jim was intensely proud of his profession and always considerate in listening to what others had to say. Because of this, Jim had a true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. He was often the guy who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

One of Jim best friends in the elevator business, Tom Topa, spoke of Jim after his passing. He said said Jim impacted everyone around him and when his group of guys got together, when they talked about Jim, it would be with such a sense of reverence. Tom described Jim as a witty, super knowledgeable man, a great thinker, chuck full of original ideas, smart, but not condescending, if anything the opposite - humble, poised and patient, adding that Jim had all the qualities he would kill to have. These words speak to just who Jim was. Jim was great at giving guys he worked with nicknames. But Jim's nickname (one of them) was excellent and appropriate - "WTTW!" Jim would come up with the most incredible facts seemingly out of no where, right off the top of his head - all the time! Jim was their Window To The World! There was another one too, "White Shoes Schici" because at quitting time, he'd change from his work boots into high-top white sneakers.

      Before elevators, there was Jim's military career. Jim was in the U.S. Navy, enlisting January 7, 1966 and discharged October 1, 1969. He played basketball while in the Navy and received the "Outstanding Player Award" 1968-69. He seemed to thrive on the routines offered by the military. Jim liked structure in his life and he loved the challenge. Being a thinker with a calm exterior helped him handle the rigors of the military. He was stationed on the USS Northampton (C.C-1), Norfolk, VA. His basic training was at the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, IL. His service was during the Viet Nam War, an extremely tumultuous time for the country and the men who served their country. Through his hard work and dedication, he was ranked SN ("Seaman"), his service number was B50-14-96 ("dog tag"). He received several awards including a National Defense Service Medal (First Award) while stationed on the USS Northampton, where he met President Lyndon B. Johnson.

      Jim thoroughly loved life and experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Jim's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Jim preferred to set aside uninterrupted time for fun things like coaching Our Lady of Victory basketball, participating in St. Andrew's CYO Boxing program, working in his garage and with his extensive and precious collection of tools. His favorite hobby though was spending time playing outside with his girls, especially in the summer. And being a patient man, Jim loved to fish, especially with his grandson Jake. Jim was most content though to sit quietly alone enjoying nature and relaxing at the end of his long hard days as an elevator mechanic on his porch with an ice cold MGD. When Sue met him in 1988 at Sneakers, a Rush Street bar, he was in his high-top white sneakers, had his famous doo-rag on with a backward baseball cap on, feet propped on a nearby bar stool and, yes, he was drinking a Miller Genuine Draft. A beer he drank to his dying day! And when you visit his grave, you just may see MGD bottle caps around, which only means he's still drinking his favorite beer.

      While thorough and measured in his approach to things, Jim often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. While he loved playing basketball and softball, he loved the quiet of fishing and always a good game of horse shoes. He also enjoyed the stats and facts of the professional sports he loved - Chicago Bears and Cubs were his favorites, but he had a real passion for professional boxing.

      As soon as Jim left the Navy, he went right to the union hall to apply for a job in the elevator industry, his life's career that took advantage of his excellent mechanical skills. He was a soon a welcome addition to the industry where his uncles, brother and many friends already were working. Jim was a strong man with exceptional discipline, always on time and always putting in a full hard long day's work. He brought a generous helping of good common sense to every job he held. Jim was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. He was an extremely proud member of IUEC Local 2 - International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 2.

      Jim was practical and grounded and based his decisions on first hand experience. He was responsible and liked working to achieve results rather than just chattering about possibilities. Jim was a conservative thinker who strongly believed in Mother, apple pie and the American flag. He hated draft-dodgers and the Welfare System.

      An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, Jim's faith was important. His compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in his personal beliefs. Jim was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Andrew, Our Lady of Victory and St. Gertrude parishes. He never swore or took God's name in vain, he believed in Catholic teachings and was a very private and devoted man.

      Doing things to help others seemed to come naturally to Jim. He never set out to gain individual recognition, but the praise and accolades given him for his many and varied efforts throughout his life were well deserved. His proudest accomplishment was his 40 years as an Elevator Mechanic and receiving a gold pocket watch upon retirement.

      Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Jim had tons of fun. His motto was "we're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time." Jim and the girls would take annual July/August trips to Tomahawk, WI from 1992 to 2005. They stayed at Bill and Doris Iacculo's lovely Lakewood Resort and the stories are legendary. Jim loved life and vacationing with his daughters - best times for everyone. He loved kicking back up north to fish, eat, drink and laugh life's cares away in God's Country. He loved getting a good start on those vacations, it was a five hour drive and getting there was exciting. Once they saw the eagles flying above, he forgot all his troubles. Those were his best times, he loved hanging out with his daughters! He was always their sweetheart Dad, but when it came to having fun, they did!

He loved sailing Lake Michigan on the Gypsy Spirit. John Healy, skipper, would often call on Jim to accompany him to sail across the lake to dock the boat for winter in Michigan and sail her back in spring.

Jim, Cathy, their daughters, cousins and families spent many summers in Lake Delevan, WI in the 70's.

Jim traveled to Ireland in 2001 with his sister Nancy, his niece Joann, his daughter Kelly and her husband Dan.

The next Schici vacation destination was Woodhaven Lakes, IL, a 2 hour drive, where Jim, his daughters and grandkids made great memories from 2006 to 2012.

Jim's family dog growing up was Jill, a rat terrier, who was his best friend for 8 years. Later when married to Cathy and living on Laramie, the family had Misty and Charlie, two female dogs, who always got out and run the neighborhood. They were often found at the Jefferson Terminal, but always came home by nightfall. When Jim met Sue in 1988, they shared Puff, a female cat. Jim was a true cat hater, but Puff recognized a soft side and became his constant companion until 1996. Then there was Bizzy in 1995, a female orange tabby and when Jim got home from work, she'd grab a hold of his jeans and he'd walk her around. He was so gentle with her and she loved sleeping on his chest or head. Then came Buddy in 1996, a male gray/white tabby, to keep Bizzy company. Jim loved taking "my guy" for walks that ended up with Buddy disappearing for hours. Both cats were put to sleep in 2009 and are now buried with Jim at Rosehill. Jim could never watch the demise of his pets, it was too painful saying goodbye to his loyal friends.

      Jim's retirement day was his secret. He never told anyone, not even his wife Sue. So, without saying a word, Jim went to work as usual on Monday, October 5, 2009. He came home and Sue asked "How was your day?" Setting his things down, he casually said "Great, I retired!" That day was 40 yrs. exactly from the date he started in the elevator business, October 5, 1969! He was a meticulous man in every way. He had taken the time to learn about his various options and chose his course wisely. Jim's last job was installing elevators at The Trump Tower while working for Kone. The last elevator Jim and his helper, Kevin Lewis, installed was the river walk elevator EPS-20, on the northeast side of the tower. They also installed EPS-19 on the southwest side of the building. When you walk between the Wrigley Building west from Michigan Ave., you will see EPS-20 right next to McDonald's. EPS-19 is on Wabash Avenue by the bridge. So take a ride on either one if you're ever downtown and let Jim take you for a nice smooth ride. When he and Kevin worked at Trump, they would spent many mornings along the river just looking out to the lake and talking.

Once retired, Jim's time was spent relaxing! His couch was his favorite spot, next to sitting on the porch watching the world go by. When Julie or Kara and their kids could get away, off they'd go to Woodhaven for a fun weekend. Life's simple pleasures made Jim a happy guy! He continued to stay in touch with friends and lived quietly and happily with Sue, who was also retired.

      Jim passed away on March 9, 2013 at 1:15p at his home in Chicago. His wake was attended by everyone who loved and respected him - there were a lot of good people who paid their respects to Jim. The graveside funeral ceremony included a proud U.S. Navy 21-gun salute over his flag-draped casket. While everyone dropped flowers onto his casket, bagpipes played nearby bidding him farewell. Jim was laid to rest at Rosehill Cemetery, Lot 2 Sublot 2 Section 18 Grave 29, overlooking a pond where swans, geese and his favorite turtle swim.

      It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Jim was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Jim was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of man to whom everyone was drawn. He was thorough and practical. Jim was very literal with his words. He was a quiet man, who didn't say a lot, but when he spoke, everyone would listen. You always knew where you stood with Jim. He will be missed.

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Schici, James J. 66, of Chicago. Beloved husband of Susan A. Tario; Loving father of Debbie (Frank) Barcy, Kelly (Daniel) Eaker, Julie (Jeffrey) Fuerst, and Kara (Tony) Donaldson; Cherished grandfather of Jake, Ethan, Madeline, Michael, Luke, and Shea; Dear brother of Nancy (the late Tom) O'Malley, the late Judy (Richard) Burke, Mickey (Gale) Schici, and Monica (Ray) Schnoor; Dear uncle to many nieces and nephews. Visitation on Wednesday, March 13th, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave. Chicago, where a funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14th, at 1:00 p.m. Interment Rosehill Cemetery. Info: 773-561-6874