JAMES F. "JIM" LAHEY
(1948-1995)
A Tribute: Remembering Jim Lahey & Good Friends
As the years pass by we tend to get caught up in our jobs, families and new environments, whether it be moving to a new city or starting a new profession, and for some of us multiples of each. In all the hustle and bustle, we tend lose touch with some of our friends. It is tough trying to locate old classmates as they move from place to place. This happened to me as I tried to find one of my best boyhood friends, Jim Lahey. We were like brothers and shared so many wonderful times together as kids.
We met as classmates at St. Didacus, in Sylmar, and played little league and Babe Ruth together on the San Fernando Elks. I spent many hours at his home and with his family.
When I enlisted in the Navy, I lost all contact with Jim. I made a few futile attempts to locate him, but to no avail. I hoped that I would see him at our 30th reunion, but again, no luck. As we started to get the lists of classmates from Danny, I thought at last I’d be able to locate him. A few weeks ago I emailed Dan McMahon to see if Jim had responded to the invitation and he replied saying that Jim was listed on Alemany’s alumni roster as deceased. What a shock! It really hit me hard. I regret all the years that have come and gone and that I didn’t try harder to find him.
Fortunately Danny steered me to a web search engine and I was able to find Jim’s mother’s phone number and contacted her. She was so surprised and so grateful that I called. We spent most of the time reminiscing about Jimmy and the good times we shared at their home. I could tell she was so very proud of Jim, his dedication to his family and the good life he led. He was a great friend and she is a very special lady.
We met as classmates at St. Didacus, in Sylmar, and played little league and Babe Ruth together on the San Fernando Elks. I spent many hours at his home and with his family.
When I enlisted in the Navy, I lost all contact with Jim. I made a few futile attempts to locate him, but to no avail. I hoped that I would see him at our 30th reunion, but again, no luck. As we started to get the lists of classmates from Danny, I thought at last I’d be able to locate him. A few weeks ago I emailed Dan McMahon to see if Jim had responded to the invitation and he replied saying that Jim was listed on Alemany’s alumni roster as deceased. What a shock! It really hit me hard. I regret all the years that have come and gone and that I didn’t try harder to find him.
Fortunately Danny steered me to a web search engine and I was able to find Jim’s mother’s phone number and contacted her. She was so surprised and so grateful that I called. We spent most of the time reminiscing about Jimmy and the good times we shared at their home. I could tell she was so very proud of Jim, his dedication to his family and the good life he led. He was a great friend and she is a very special lady.
I learned that Jim passed away of a heart attack in the fall of 1995. He was a wonderful husband to Kathy and had 3 beautiful children, 2 sons Travis and Brett and a daughter, Tacey. He was involved in the Heating and Air Conditioning trade and owned his own company for many years.
Two of his many loves were surfing and his chopper motorcycle.
Another was the Ford Falcon he bought in his senior year and fixed it up to race at the drag strip where he won many trophies. I know I will learn more about Jim’s past as I talk with his friends and family and will treasure many more memories of him. It’s tough losing a good friend and not knowing it for so many years.
Even though I was too shy back then to get to know everyone in the class, the bond I feel is special. I look to this upcoming event as a chance to rekindle old friendships and re-establish contacts. Gosh, how will we ever have the time to share our stories with everyone the night of the reunion? This grand 40th reunion has helped bring us together through emails and the blog site has been tremendous and thoroughly enjoyable.
I hope we can keep it going and that it will encourage each of us to continue communicating, even after the reunion. It’s a blast seeing photos of some of the classmates and “happenings” at BAHS back in the 60’s.
See you all soon,
Ron West
Alpine, Utah
(Photos courtesy of Jim's Mom, Ellen Lahey with our heartfelt thanks for her sharing)
Even though I was too shy back then to get to know everyone in the class, the bond I feel is special. I look to this upcoming event as a chance to rekindle old friendships and re-establish contacts. Gosh, how will we ever have the time to share our stories with everyone the night of the reunion? This grand 40th reunion has helped bring us together through emails and the blog site has been tremendous and thoroughly enjoyable.
I hope we can keep it going and that it will encourage each of us to continue communicating, even after the reunion. It’s a blast seeing photos of some of the classmates and “happenings” at BAHS back in the 60’s.
See you all soon,
Ron West
Alpine, Utah
(Photos courtesy of Jim's Mom, Ellen Lahey with our heartfelt thanks for her sharing)
1 comment:
Thanks, Ron, for writing this and sending it. When I first read it and saw the pictures, I had to walk away from my computer and take a break. I was deeply touched.
Thanks, Bob Johnson, for posting this, for doing such a nice job with the pictures, and putting it up so quickly.
Ron said to me that Jim's mother Ellen Lahey may join Ron at the Mass at Alemany before reunion. I hope so. I'd like to meet her.
Danny
Palmdale, CA
Post a Comment