January 19, 2019

When I learned of Jim’s passing from his daughter, Jaime, this past Thanksgiving, I was more than saddened, I was shaken. After all, he was a close friend, and my age.
I met Jim more than 50 years ago when we moved to our new home in Eden Manor. We became fast friends – exploring the nearby “woods,” catching salamanders in the stream, “playing” army, and later discovering music, parties and girls. I was a frequent visitor to the Keebler household on Glenn Road. So Jim’s family knew me quite well. I was even befriended by the family dog, Susie – who typically didn’t make up to strangers.
A year after high school Jim and I planned a week-long road trip to the north woods of Maine. There we camped at Lilly Bay State Park at the southern tip of Moosehead Lake. When we weren’t hand-feeding chipmunks and red squirrels in camp, we were fishing and hiking. While there, we drove the 50-mile-long Great Northern Paper Company Road to Baxter Park where we saw moose – a first for each of us.
In the early 70’s we’d take camping trips closer to home in Pennsylvania’s Potter County with the gang from high school – Dave, Don, Rob, Steve, and Bill. Great fun and great memories.
A few years later I attended Jim’s marriage to Jeannie and was privileged to see their two daughters begin their formative years. Still later Jim and his second wife Emily would visit Helen and me discussing their new home on Billview Drive, their travels, Jim’s trains and of course, the latest sci-fy movie.
As time went by, our interests changed and we grew further apart. But our friendship endured. After Emily passed, Jim and I remained in touch, even after he moved to Florida. 
My last conversation with him was this past spring. It was a meaningful one. We discussed and re-lived many of our adventures over the past half century and how much fun we had. They will remain with me forever.
I will miss you my friend. May you rest comfortably now and always.
— Chuck Book