James Halpin

James (Jim) Welter Halpin, 90, of Westerville, passed away on August 4, 2022, born on January 12, 1932, in Toledo, to the late Donald and Blanche (Welter) Halpin. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his siblings, Donald C. Halpin Jr. and Marjorie Zalewski.

Growing up in Toledo, Jim was a 1950 Graduate of Central Catholic High School. He joined the US Airforce, serving from 1953-1956 where his love for electronics emerged, graduating in 1961 from the University of Detroit with his Bachelor in Electrical Engineering. Jim enjoyed traveling and camping, moving to Seattle to work for Boeing with his sister Barbara. During one of his weekend trips to British Columbia, he was inspired to buy an engagement ring, though no lovely lady had yet stolen his heart. When his father passed suddenly in 1964, he and Barbara moved back to Toledo. Jim worked for Fling Engineering, earning the nickname “SparksPlenty”, but enjoyed his off hours hanging out with the Catholic Alumni Club (CAC) as their resident photographer, bridge teacher, and bartender. Barbara was the matchmaker, inviting her friend Joni Rericha one evening to CAC. Joni noticed Jim’s kindness and sweet nature, their love affair started when he offered to teach Joni how to play bridge. Jim popped the question in August 1967, the ring fitting perfectly, spending the last 54 years as a true team. Jim’s passion for engineering brought him to Columbus, retiring after 25 years of service from Malcolm Pirnie Environmental Engineers in 2006, highly known for his creative problem solving in complex engineering situations.

Jim was a man of few words, but had a charismatic smile and presence. He loved his crossword puzzles, Sudoku, Solitaire, newspaper and music. Active member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church since 1976, he sang weekly in the 10:30 am choir until the pandemic started. Jim didn’t know a stranger, you soon became family. Jim and Joni had an open door policy, welcoming many into their home for short and long visits. He was known for his annual Christmas tree that often had 3000 lights glowing in the living room, but more famous for his “Kick-a-poo Joy Juice” at every Christmas celebration.

His family was his life, Jim loved being a husband, father and grandfather, with extreme patience to put together many years of toys, electronics, bringing kids to school and activities for 3 generations. Jim loved all his grandchildren, but he was Patrick’s buddy taking him back and forth to Oakstone Academy for the last 18 years, supporting kids with Autism during the school year and summer programs.

Jim will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Joanne (Joni) Rericha Halpin; 1st and 2nd father to children, Jean Halpin, James G. Halpin, Jody (Jonathon) Tarpy, David Robins, and Joel (Dreama) Bigalke; grandchildren, Emma, Eleanor, Patrick, and Kylie Bigalke, and Jonathon and Allison Shelt; siblings, W. Thomas (Geri) Halpin, Barbara (Duane) Adamczak, John Halpin, Philip Halpin/Fr. Don; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and close family friends.

Visitation for Jim will be held Thursday, August 11, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085. A funeral Mass will occur Friday, August 12, 2022 at 10:30 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 313 North State Street, Westerville, OH 43082. Committal will immediately follow Mass at Resurrection Cemetery 9571 Columbus, Lewis Center, OH 43085.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to Oakstone

Academy Academy online at https://oakstoneacademy.org/ways-to-give/ or

checks payable to Oakstone Academy, c/o Finance Department, 900 Club Drive

Westerville, OH 43081.