My condolences to Jim's family. Please find some comfort for your loss in the promise found at John 11:25.

I hope you are FINALLY at peace. I hope you feel no more pain. I hope you know you will truely be missed. You fought as hard as you could for such a long time, you were such a strong and courageous man for all that you dealt with . You will never be forgotten. I hope your making everybody laugh up there like you always did when we were together.
Love always,
Your Mushy

I was so sorry to hear of the loss of my Uncle Jimo. I only met him a few times in my life, but I've heard many family stories. Please accept our deepest sympathy during this sad time.

James Peter Anderson was his name. I called him Jimmy, Jim, Jimbo or Grandpa Jimmy sometimes but in my heart he was so much more. He married my grandma when I was just one year old. Now for those of you that know my grandma know that choosing to ask her to marry him Jimmy must’ve either been an extremely patient man or simply crazy! My grandma is very ‘strong-willed’ shall we say. It would take a super easy-going, laid -back kind of person to stand by her side, support her and just accept and love her just the way she is. Jimmy did that. Not always with patience as my grandma knows how to push people’s buttons and they would at times argue and yell at each other. Remember that show All in the Family? I would call them Archie and Edith Bunker, that was their relationship. But ultimately after arguing a bit, Jimmy would always give in (or maybe he just gave up) and grandma would get her way. For 47 years he did this…now to me…that’s patience!!

Jimmy was a hard-working man his entire life. In his younger years he worked on a farm, he was a blacksmith shoeing horses and rode in rodeos. He painted cars, he worked in textiles and after over 25 years he retired working for the Teaneck DPW. Although my grandma was a hustler and would work little side jobs, cleaning houses or offices, or being a ‘nanny’ or babysitter to numerous kids, Jimmy was the main provider for the household. He not only provided a roof, food, clothing over grandma’s head, but over the years he provided for her children Lisa and Mark, grandchildren (me, my brother Brandon, my cousin Marco) then even some extras grandma would take in throughout the years. They never had children together but they did in their older years adopt a young girl Cynthia. Jimmy never ever made us feel, nor did we ever think of him as a ‘step’ anything. Not a step-dad, not a step-grandfather, he was just Dad or Grandpa to all of us. We did not share ‘blood’ but he was and always will be family. He loved us all unconditionally. Grandma and Jimmy were not the mushy, hugs and kisses type of grandparents although Jimmy was definitely the more affectionate one and would hugs us when we fell and scrapped our knees or just sit with us after we got in trouble with grandma for one thing or another.

Sunday dinners are some of my favorite memories. While Grandma and the women were in the kitchen cooking and talking away, Jimmy would be in the dining room with my Grandpa Da and all the kids teaching us different card games and playing games with us. Jimmy and Da would often times team up together and joke with grandma just to get under her skin. Sometimes they would whisper to each other not really saying anything but Grandma hated the thought of them having ‘secrets’ and would lose it yelling and screaming and they would just sit back and laugh together.
Jimmy was also a pretty darn good cook! He wasn’t often allowed in the kitchen but if grandma was away or out of the house for a while Jimmy would whip up not only super delicious meals but the presentation of the food was definitely Food Network worthy!

Jimmy taught me how to tie my shoes, ride a bike WITHOUT training wheels, walk a dog and make him heal when I was just 5 years old and the dog was a big ‘ol German Shepard probably double my weight. He would take us fishing and would bait our hooks for us and when we did catch something, anything, he would praise us telling us how ‘BIG’ the fish was even though I’ve probably had carnival goldfish bigger!

Jimmy never really got the attention, respect or any of the accolades he deserved yet he still never complained. For me, he was always just there…kind of like air, you don’t think about it much, you don’t see it but when it’s gone you realize how much you need it. Whenever I needed Jimmy, he was there. Even if I didn’t need him, he let me know he was always there for me. My own father chose to walk away and not maintain a relationship with my brother and I. Jimmy without any words at all showed us he was there for us. He stepped in and he was my Dad for all these years. I am happy I was able to tell him that and let him know how much I loved him and appreciate all he did for us. I will forever miss my Grandpa, my Dad Jimmy. Until we meet again!