How one man touched so many lives is extraordinary.
Mr. James Weiner was known by many names — husband, father, son, grandpa, brother, uncle, Magoo, Jimmy, and friend. He excelled in all these roles, as anyone who knew him would agree.
Above all things, Jim was a family man. They were the most important people in his life. He was a devoted husband, a loving son, a supportive brother to eight siblings, a wonderful father, and a caring grandfather who lit up when he saw or spoke to his five grandchildren.
The word “no” was not part of his vocabulary. If he promised to be there, he’d come. If he promised to do something, he would. Of course, it was not always at the time he said; as those who knew him would attest, he ran on “Weiner time.”
A true New Yorker born and raised in Queens and Long Island, he loved the Giants and the Mets. Actually, there wasn’t a sport he didn’t love.
Jim and his wife, Kathy, moved to the Eastern Shore in 2007 and never looked back. Never one for sitting still, he soon became immersed in the community, whether it was taking on the role of mentor for the high school robotics team for eight years, serving as the commander of the Sons of the American Legion Post 56, or participating with the Knights of Columbus as a fourth-degree Knight. Jim also served on the Wetlands Board and was a member of the Citizens for Central Park, who worked tirelessly raising money for the park you see today.
He loved to golf and held a family and friends golf tournament every year. He laughed when he started getting calls about it every January for a September event. Jim loved that his family and friends fell in love with Cape Charles, and he and Kathy made sure everyone always had an open invitation.
For 34 years, Jim was dedicated to his students in East Islip High school, where he worked as a woodshop teacher. That love carried over to retirement. He found a space for his workshop and slowly built it to be everything he wanted. He used his hands to create things of beauty. He shared his tools and machines but especially his knowledge with fellow woodworkers and tradesmen. He would take his grandchildren there and teach them to build and create things that they originally wanted to buy. The look of accomplishment on their faces was the best reward Jim could ask for.
He leaves a huge hole in the hearts of his loving wife and partner in crime, Kathy; his mother, Marilyn; his children, Bob (Yvonne), Jennifer, Christopher (Regina), and Jonathan (Leah); his amazing grandchildren, Ethan, Meagan, Tristan, Riley, and Julia; his siblings, Jane Whitney, Cathy Koukal, Tom Weiner (Barbara), John Weiner (Sabina), Geri Swindell (Walt), Chris Weiner (Vicky), Margaret Courson, and Ken Weiner (Claudine); his special nieces and nephews; and his many friends.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church with Father J. Michael Breslin officiating.
Jim would have loved if instead of flowers, you made a donation to Eastern Shore of Virginia Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 1299, Exmore, VA 23350.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore.
