James R. "Jim" Gildea

James R. Gildea, Jr of Urbana, Ohio passed away on May 3, 2010 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born in Pittsburgh PA on March 31, 1928 to Armella Goldbach and James R. Gildea. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, (Bob) and step-son, Alan Price. Jim will be remembered by many for the life experience stories he loved to share and his willingness to help people. Jim graduated from Saint Michaels High School, Pittsburgh PA in 1945. Jim was very active in the Boy Scouts of America for many years serving as Scout Master and personally achieving the Silver Beaver Award and District Merit Awards, his greatest joy in scouting was assisting several young men in achieving the award of Eagle Scout. Jim was also very activity in the Catholic Youth Organization serving as coach for the youth sports programs as well as the men’s basketball and softball leagues. Jim cherished the honor of portraying Christus for twenty-five years in the annual Passion Drama “Veronica’s Veil” hosted by St. Michael’s Church, in Pittsburgh. The Drama was considered to be one of the country’s outstanding Lenten performances. Jim worked at Kauffman’s Department Store in Pittsburgh, then in the late fifties he joined The Galbreath Company to work in the area of Commercial Property Management, he managed several properties in downtown Pittsburgh and was later transferred to Louisville, KY then in 1982 was transferred to Columbus, Ohio where he continued his career with The Galbreath Company (later known as Jones Lang LaSalle) until his retirement after completing over forty five years in the industry. Jim was a very active member and advocate of BOMA (Building Owner’s & Managers Association serving as the President of both the Columbus Chapter and the Ohio Chapter. Jim received one of the highest honors in BOMA when The William Green Building was awarded the “International Building of the Year” the award recognizes outstanding operations and management of a Commercial Office Building. Jim was also honored with a Lifetime Membership by BOMA International. Survivors include his wife, Lynda Gildea; sons, James C. Gildea (Cindi) of Dallas TX, Richard Gildea, (Joyce), Grindstone, PA , Kendall Land (Olga), Robinson, TX; daughters, Faith Gildea, Myrtle Beach, SC, Kathleen Dinzeo (David), Dover, NH and Kim Land (Sara) of Fort Lauderdale and his former wife Joan Bishop (Gildea) as well as 5 sisters; 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends Friday from 2-8pm at SCHOEDINGER WORTHINGTON CHAPEL, 6699 N. High St., Columbus (Just South of I-270). Mass of Christian Burial 10am Saturday, May 8, 2010 at St. Michael Catholic Church, 5750 N. High St., Worthington, Fr. Richard J. Pendolphi, Celebrant. Graveside services to be held for family members on Sunday May 9th in Terre Haute, Indiana, with his final resting place at Highland Lawn Cemetery. The family request donations in his honor to be made to Heartland Hospice of Dayton, Ohio or the American Heart Association. To view Jim’s video tribute or offer condolences, visit www.schoedinger.com.