Obituaries

His influence on those he met cannot be measured or put into words. Whether you met him once or knew him your whole life, he had an energy that touched your life and made a lasting impression. It was his high caliber, unmatched warmth, kindness, generosity, morality, and honorableness that made you feel special, seen, and appreciated.

Jim was multifaceted. A sophisticated man who loved jazz, foreign films, and poetry. A cool guy, who was on the cutting edge of music, well dressed, and could respectfully dabble in anything.  He was talented, a college athlete, musician, and writer.

Although Jim had many hobbies, his passion was baseball. He played, coached, watched, and talked about baseball anytime he could. He has a sign in the house “Life is a game. Baseball is serious”. Through coaching, Jim was particularly proud of his opportunity to influence and develop young men on and off the playing field.

But before all else was his family. Everything he did was for them. Jim originally earned his Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Wilkes University but pivoted to earn his MBA from the University of Scranton. A self-made man, he created his benefits, consulting, and human resources firm, DeHey McAndrew, to provide for his family which is now run by his sons. He was focused on being a great husband, father, and grandfather, showing up with unwavering love and support every single day until the day he died. His way of loving was special. It left you feeling secure; brave, protected, confident, and able to take on anything life has in store. He always saw the positive, even when it was hard to find, a trait hard to come by.

Along with his wife and children, he is survived by his children-in-laws Brian Courtright, Megan Durkin, and Jamie Cameron, his sister Kathye Nocera, Sisters-in-Law, Nancy Yamin, Simone Daniel, and Jomarie Yamin Ali, nieces, nephews, and cousins. However, some of his greatest joy, pride, and entertainment came from the addition of his grandchildren, Quincy James and James Sonny Courtright, and Josephine McAndrew who he will watch from above.