EUP News ? James Lawrence Ailing

James Lawrence Ailing

James Lawrence Ailing passed away peacefully early July 16, 2013 with his loving wife Sheri by his side. Jim fought a long hard battle with small cell lung for the last 2 1/2 years. He continued to work full time through out chemo and radiation. One thing Jim would advise everyone is to quit smoking, even though he did smoke off and on especially when there was no more hope so you and your loved ones don?t have to go through this. God got a special Angel when he took Jim home, but he will always be with us in our memories and he will be watching over us.

Jim was born on November 22, 1954 in the Sault and lived his whole life there.

Jim is survived by his wife Sheri celebrating 35 years of marriage to on June 16. His children April (Bill) Pinkerton of Oshkosh, WI and Jamie (Theresa) Ailing of the Sault. His grandchildren Bianca, Cammie, Alexx, Shawn, Brandon and Gavin Pinkerton of Oshkosh, Teanna and Isabella Ailing, Cecilia and Hunter Sicotte of the Sault. His mother Vida (Glen) Captain, brother Robert Captain of the Sault, sisters Ada (John) Dalgleish of Marquette, MI and Kathy (Hank) Sower of Illinois. His father-in-law Rolland Wiertalla of the Sault. His sisters and brothers-in-law Pat (Will) Kemp, Mary Hertel, Mike (Beth) Hertel, Ron Hertel, Elaine Hertel, Bill (Chaunda) Hertel, Tim (Anne) Hertel all of New York as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Jim was predeceased by his father Russell Ailing, his brother in law Dale Wiertalla, his mother in law and her husband Joline (William) Hertel, his grandparents, several aunts and uncles and cousins.

Jim worked at Kewadin Casino, from Nov 13, 1985 until he went on leave on June 17, 2013. Jim started out in the original casino working security and quickly became the head of security. As the casino grew, so did Jim?s knowledge and responsibilities. Jim was Director of Surveillance and Security over all 5 Kewadin Casino?s. He often worked with not only his staff and team members, but Tribal police departments, the City and State Police, the Sheriff?s department, FBI and Border Patrol/Customs. He was very respected by those agencies. He was a fair boss who would back up his employees when needed. His employees and fellow team members quickly became good friends with his family and they have been very supportive of Jim and Sheri during his illness as well as before.

Jim?s employees/friends have all said he was the best boss they ever had. Some of the ones who used to work for Jim have credited him for them now being in their law enforcement field. Jim would often work holidays so his friends could be off, work extra shifts when they needed time off. He knew his family would understand and just celebrate at a different time, which usually worked out better anyway. They in turn did the same when he needed or wanted time off. All of his family and the friends he made at Kewadin will never forget Jim and always miss him. He wanted to thank the friends for the loving support and friendship over the last 28 plus years.

Jim was loved and respected by all who knew him. Jim was a quiet man but had many friends and gave great advice. When he wanted to he could talk your ear off. He was well known for his love of coffee, joking, quick whit and love of pranks. There are many good stories to laugh at shared by his friends and family through out the years. Jim did not like a lot of attention to himself and enjoyed a simple life. Even though he had to dress for work he was most comfortable in sweats or shorts and a tee shirt . Jim loved doing things with his family, grilling out, going to the cabin, watching his children and now grandchildren grow up. He loved to teach them new things and show them how to do things he enjoyed doing. He was very proud to be called Papa. He was known as Papa to not only his 10 grandchildren but to the children of Jennifer (Roy) Shirley of England, Tina DeFord (Bernard Stratton) of the Sault and Aaron (Samara) Porcaro of Dafter. Jen, Tina and Aaron were here as much as their own homes growing up and considered Jim and Sheri as their other parents. He was known as Papa Jim to Eli, Logan and Mackenzie Shirley, Elijah Stratton, Connor and Easton Porcaro. Jim was very proud of his children and their accomplishments in school and how they were raising their children. Jim never wanted Sheri to work outside the home so she could know their children and friends. He often helped and cared about the day care children that were in his home for several years. Although Jim quit high school, he later realized he should graduate so took correspondence courses and graduated in 1997 about the same time as his daughter April.

Jim enjoyed golfing and could often be found at Tanglewood Marsh Golf Course, where he was a member for around 10 years, as well as other courses around the U.P. playing or doing tournaments. He was a good golfer and loved to try to teach others how to golf. His grandchildren loved going with Papa and golfing. Jamie was often golfing with his dad for the last several years in leagues and tournaments. Jim and Sheri often took trips golfing and staying somewhere to get away and relax. Jim also liked to fish and had a boat for several years to go fishing. He taught his family to fish and took his grandchildren recently to fish. Jim liked to hunt in his early years and usually came home with a deer or so. He loved venison and other wild game. He taught Jamie the love of hunting as well. Up until this summer, Jim could be found on the trails riding his ATV. He enjoyed going with his family and friends to Ashmun Bay, Brimley, Mission Hill or Soldiers Lake on the ATV and enjoyed taking his grandchildren for rides down the trails. Jim liked sports as well. During the early 80?s he played ball for the American Legion men?s team. He also shot pool for many years and was very good at it! He played for Pat?s Bar in Strongs for many years in the country league they had back in the late 80?s to mid 90?s. Jim also could be found at either the Pullar sitting at the east end in the front row or at the Big Bear standing by the rail watching hockey. He had season tickets for about 20 years to the various Jr teams most recently the Soo Eagles. He also loved to watch the midgets, Sault High and children?s tournaments. He spent a lot of time at the rink as did his family as they all loved hockey. He taught his children and grandchildren the love of hockey. In the last couple of years if Jim wasn?t up to going to the rink or the teams were playing away, he would watch the games online usually with several others joining him. Jim played cribbage for the CC Hall for several years on the men?s team as well as at home. He enjoyed playing euchre and other card games as well. When his children were growing up we had a family game night and played cards or other games. He played games with his grandchildren as well. Jim loved watching golf on tv as well as movies. He was a big fan of CSI, NCIS and NCIS LA and Criminal Minds and often watched the reruns. Jim often had his granddaughter Isabella sitting with him watching his shows, it was their special time. Every time she came over they watched her favorite monkey movie (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and Dora. He was a pushover when it came to her. All of us loved to sit by and watch movies and eat popcorn right next to Jim. Jim loved music and especially listening to Oldies93, which the grandkids liked and called it his old man music. He also enjoyed country, especially the older country. Jim enjoyed going to Bay Mills and different casinos and playing black jack, the poker or keno machines and some slots. He was usually lucky. He enjoyed the trips to Las Vegas as well and took his family and mother in law there during spring break one year. Whenever there was a computer issue at work or home, the first thing the guys from work would ask is if Jim touched it, he was known to mess them up so they didn?t work. Jim was proud to walk Deb Menard down the isle on June 30th when her and Bill renewed their vows. He enjoyed the get together afterwards and spent 5 hours at Tanglewood where the dancing and cake were watching everyone dance. He got a huge kick out of the children dancing and having a great time. He enjoyed visiting with others as well. Thank you to the friends who stopped by in the last couple of weeks to visit, Jim was always happy to see you and share laughs. Jim was very happy when he went to the Relay for Life survivors walk on July 12, he put on the purple shirt and medal and was pushed by a good friend Bonnie who is battling her own cancer. In the last couple of weeks Jim could often be found sitting outside listening to music and watching the kids play. He got a kick out of watching them on Monday, July 15th catch pink, orange, tan and green grasshoppers.

During the last 2 1/2 years Jim and Sheri spent many hours in the infusion rooms at both War Memorial Hospital in the Sault and Mackinac Straits oncology wing in St. Ignace. The nurses and staff as well as patients quickly became friends. We took in treats almost every visit and some crafts to brighten up the room and people?s spirits. Jim was very grateful for all their love and support and wanted to help them. We were often told we were all in this together. We often told patients who had to go to Petoskey for radiation about the road to recovery van, which is free to patients.

The family would like to thank Dr. Werner and staff at the Sault Tribal center, Dr. Smith, his staff Jill, Alisha, the 2 Christy?s, Sue and everyone else at Mackinac Straights, Anna, Kathleen and Debbie and everyone else in the infusion room at War Memorial. Dr. Pahn who took great care of him when he was a patient at WMH in April and June as well as the nursing staff there. To Joanne his hospice nurse and Shawn Dunning the hospice social worker for being there for Jim and hearing his wishes and helping his wife and children. Even though Jim was only on hospice a few days we appreciated what you did. To all Jim?s friends for all the love and support and great times over the years. You all are the greatest! Thank you for your support and friendship to Sheri and his children and family as well. We love you all!

An account is set up at the Soo Co-op Credit union in Jim?s name for those who would like to donate in Jim?s memories to the charities Jim wanted to support. Jim wanted donations in his memory to go to the Road to Recovery van, Relay for Life, Hospice and the Hospice house all which he supported for years as well as the infusion rooms. These were the charities that were near and dear to his heart. He wanted to help others who are fighting this horrible disease. Jim did not like flowers or plants, he thought they were a nuisance so please respect that and not get any.

Jim wanted no viewing, religious or native service or to be buried. He often joked to us ?the church doors would fall off if I entered a church? and he was not real big into his Native American culture. Jim did want to be cremated and put on the table at home where his grandchildren could come and talk to him at any time. He wanted an open house type get together where loved ones and friends could go and remember the good times.

Please join his wife Sheri, children April and Jamie and their families to share good memories at Tanglewood Marsh Golf Course on Sunday, July 28, 2013 from 11 am to 5 pm. We will be having cake, coffee and water in Jim?s honor. We hope to see everyone who loved Jim there and share your many stories of him. Jim was an amazing, caring, loving man who will be missed by everyone who knew him. Jim is gone and our lives will never be the same. Jim will never be forgotten as he left us with wonderful memories of his time here on earth. We believe he will be watching over all of us until we meet again. He is out of pain and for that we are grateful.

Condolences can be sent to P.O.Box 851 Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Thank you.

Author: Mark Krupiarz Mark is the Publisher and Executive Editor of EUP News. He is the Chief Board Member of SandMark Media, LLC, the parent company of EUP News and SandMark Photography. He is also a published photographer and is available for hire for all types of events. You can contact him at mark@eupnews.com

Source: http://eupnews.com/james-lawrence-ailing/

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