James (Jim) Frederick Scheible passed away peacefully on February 6, 2022 at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loving wife Dorothy, family members and the sounds of his favorite piano piece (Chopin’s D flat major Nocturne).
Jim was born on March 16, 1928 to Fred and Marie Scheible and grew up in West Irondequoit, NY with younger siblings David and Ann. Throughout childhood Jim enjoyed traveling around the U.S. with his family, including automobile trips to faraway states including Virginia and Texas. During WWII his parents bought an old farmhouse in Naples, NY. It was here that the family first started making wine and Jim and his siblings would work in the vineyard on the weekends. One of his earliest memories was the day George Eastman died, a figure whose legacy would influence his family for generations.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950 from the University of Rochester. During the Korean War he was drafted into the Army, was assigned as a photographer at the Army Chemical Corps School and rose to the rank of Corporal. One of his assignments was at the Nevada Test Site where he observed several nuclear weapons tests. Fortunately, he was far enough away from the blast site that his Geiger counter did not register dangerous levels of radiation. Decades later a VA study confirmed he suffered no adverse health effects. In 2014 Jim went on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. which was a profoundly moving experience.
After his service, he returned to Rochester and married Dorothy Mulcahy on September 18, 1954. Dorothy describes them as “a perfect match.” They remained supportive of each other throughout their marriage and had many shared interests. They enjoyed doing everything together, including walking, bike riding, water aerobics, cross-country skiing, and even white-water rafting. Dorothy notes their shared love of classical music and how much they enjoyed going square dancing every week for many years. Their loving marriage was a great example to their four children: Mary Elaine (deceased), twins John (Diane) and Jeanne (deceased, Gary), and Barbara (Jerry). He was a devoted father and loved spending time with his children and remained close with them throughout his life.
He worked at Eastman Kodak in the Paper Service Division as a chemical engineer and eventually as a manager. While working there he completed an MBA at the University of Rochester. Both his father and son worked at Kodak, and together they combined for a continuous service of 96 years.
He served on both the local parochial and public-school PTAs. For decades after he retired, he was very active in the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), where he had the opportunity to mentor small business owners and entrepreneurs. He also greatly enjoyed going to monthly Kodak lunches to catch up with his other retired coworkers.
It would be difficult to fully describe Jim without acknowledging his lifelong love for dogs, which included owning three Shetland Sheepdogs. His memories and stories of Chips, Pepper and Murf were heartfelt and usually hilarious. This love was passed down to his children, and though they chose other breeds, his love for each of their dogs was undeniable.
He had four granddaughters: Meryl (Jock), Grace, Erin, and Jillian and always took an interest in their lives even though they lived far away. They all have fond memories of “Papa Jim” and how he gave the best hugs whenever they would visit him. They loved hearing him tell stories about his life (even if they had heard them before). Jim also had two great grandchildren, Ridge and Dawson. He cherished the time he got to spend with them and loved seeing their pictures and videos.
Jim had a wide range of interests and hobbies. At his house in Irondequoit, he cultivated a rose garden, pear trees, and many flowers. Every year he would make jelly and jam from the many fruit bushes in the side yard. He was also an avid bird watcher who could identify most birds. He was often seen with a camera around his neck and was the designated photographer at family events. Over the years he shot over two dozen reels of slides. Family slideshows were a staple of many family gatherings. Jim also loved to swim in the family pool and loved to display his many historical American flags around the perimeter. His flag collection was extensive, and he often went to events to speak about the history of the American flag. He was also a big music lover and would often play classical music through the speakers around the pool. He loved listening to his wife play the piano in their living room. He had a keen interest in aviation and astronomy and would always read the magazine “Science News.” Even in his last days in the hospital he would still use his iPhone to track the commercial airplanes flying overhead. His grandchildren remember him teaching them to identify different constellations, stars, and planets in the night sky.
Jim loved to travel and went on many international trips with his wife Dorothy. His favorite was a five-week trip they took to New Zealand in 1981. They also traveled to Germany, Austria, France, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Israel, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Canada and Ireland. Throughout the years he was able to travel extensively across the United States with his wife and children.
In 1984 Jim and Dorothy bought a second house in South Bristol, NY overlooking Canandaigua Lake. The house was affectionately named “Chatwo Scheible,” not to be confused with his parents’ Naples house, “Chateau Scheible.” The couple spent many weekends there with friends and family. Over the years Jim made wine with his extended family using many different native and hybrid grape varietals. Happy hour with Scheible Champagne was a daily ritual with Jim and Dorothy. Friends and family have many fond memories of stopping by for a chat and a glass of wine.
Jim had a great sense of humor and took great joy in reciting jokes to his friends and family. He often got himself laughing so hard that he couldn’t get out the punchline. Every morning he loved to read the comic “Pickles” along with the New York Times. He was able to recite many poems and his family would often wonder how he managed to remember so many things!
Throughout his life, he was a man of faith. His Catholic upbringing was apparent in his church attendance, prayer life and charitable giving. In his last days, he prayed for himself and for his family, and mourned the loss of his second daughter Jeanne. A call from his hospital bed to Jeanne to say goodbye in her last hour allowed her to pass away in peace. It was also the final highlight of his long and remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to Honor Flight Rochester. Visit https://honorflightrochester.org/donations/ or checks can be made out to:
Honor Flight Rochester, Inc.
PO BOX 23581
Rochester, NY 14692
A Celebration of Life for Jim and his daughter Jeanne will be held at a future date.
What a nice man Jim Scheible was. I am friends with his son John and got to know him as a real gentleman. He was always out doing yard work in the spring and summer. I was often a guest at his home on Glenmont and shared much of his wisdom and kindness . I also shared much (perhaps too much) of the wine he like to make. Pleasant Memories.
John my thoughts are with you and your family during this sad time. Say a special hello to your mother for me.
Tony
A great family with too many losses in recent times.
Dot and Jim walked past our house on St. Paul Blvd / Hermitage Rd for years – virtually every summer evening. Buzzing right along, ( Hi Mr. and Mrs Scheible! ), a breezy wave in return, and away they went! You could just imagine Dot saying “don’t slow down Jim, keep up the pace!”
Jeanne, lifelong friend of my youngest sister, was always a smiling face at our kitchen door. Nobody loved Reeses peanut butter cups more than Jeanne . She’d forgive that understatement: )
There is comfort in knowing that Mary Elaine, Jeanne, and Jim will be together again – each would choose exactly that.
To Mrs Scheible, John, Barbara Gary ( Winburn) and all the far flung and extended Scheibles, please accept our very heartfelt condolences.
Jan Moyer, Sue Sheldon, and most especially, Andrea Sheldon.
Jim was one of the most positive and caring (and fun!) people (along with teammate Dorothy of course). How challenging to have to say goodbye to him and so closely to Jeanne…
I remember Uphphlandia days…church moments…including so many of us in stories and gatherings and friendly connections.
Thank you for sharing a great man with us. The obit is a fine tribute to him too.
May God bless your hearts with deep peace…. remembering a great man ….
Nancy
My deepest condolences to the Scheible family . Jim & I were classmates at Aquinas & at the UofR in chemical engineering, & we both have an MBA from Simon school . In
college we & several others studied together to help us get through a very difficult major . After graduation the group met for lunch every month for the rest of our
lives, until the Lord took his toll on us–one by one . Jim & I went on an Honor Flight together & agreed it was one of the highlights of our life .
Jim was a perfect gentleman with a great sense of humor , & one of the most patriotic persons I know.
Peace to you Jim. I will miss you .
Tom Lodato
Sending sincere sympathies to the Scheible family from the Tellier family. My dad and Jim rode to Kodak in a carpool every day for years. I even joined the carpool for one summer while I was in college. There are so many wonderful memories of growing up on Glenmont Dr, Jim was certainly part of those memories. He was such a nice man and always happy with a great smile.
The Verhey Family, longtime friends and neighbors on Glenmont Drive, all send their prayers and condolences. The Scheibles were a wonderful family and I’m so sorry for your recent loss of Jeanne and Mr. Scheible. That is more than any family should endure. May Mary Elaine, Jeanne and Mr. Scheible rest in peace.
My heartfelt sympathy for you and your family are very much given. Jim and my husband Fred worked at Kodak together and we had many social occasions as couples. Please know you are in my prayers as I know how much it helps. Fred passed away over 11 years ago and life takes this happening with breaking your heart .Know you are in my prayers and all the memories of the years we were intouch will always be treasures. Best wishes , Ann Pomeroy
My prayers and sympathy at this time of great loss for you.
Remembering time at St Mary’s always smiling and caring for each other. May Our Loving God Bless you. Sheila GeraghtyR,S.M.
I was lucky to be a “guardian” for Jim on his Honor Flight. What a wonderful, funny gentleman he was! I know he treasured that trip- but no more than I! I will never forget his flag fact challenges and his amazing wealth of trivia!! It seemed he could always add an new fact to any topic in any conversation! I have many pictures from our biannual “reunion” lunches with Tom and Sharon. One of them has been on my Refrigerator for years!! You made a difference, Jim. Condolences to your family.
My condolences to the Scheible family. I had the privilege of working with Jim at Kodak and in retirement enjoying his friendship and company along with other
Paper Service friends at lunch at the Ridgeway
Heartfelt condolences to the Scheible family. I’m sure Jeanne, Mary Elaine and their Dad are all together in Heaven.
I was saddened to hear of Jim’s recent passing. My deepest sympathy to Dorothy and the Scheible family. I was privileged to have provided some eye care over the years
to such a wonderful man and miss many of the nice conversations we used to have since I retired.
To Dorothy and family. So sad to read about Jim’s passing and your two daughters. I remember all the fun times Nick and I had with you both. Lots of square dancing and our burgers out at Bill Grays, your champagne and visits to your chateau. So many memories. Jim sure gave us lots to laugh about. Peace to you Dorothy and sending prayers. Love Donna Scott-Hober
My sympathies to Jim’s family. I was privileged to get to know Jim on his Honor Flight as guardian to his friend, Tom. That was the first of many of our ‘double dates’. We were able to enjoy several lunches together following that flight. He always had something interesting to share with us, and I’ve just learned there was so much more I would have loved to hear about! (He shared with me about tracking the planes, which I shared with my grandchildren!) I’ll treasure my memories of our times together.
Hi Dorothy,
I saw the posting of Jim’s passing and it
Brought back a flood of square dance memories and Jim’s flag presentation! Art and I were so fortunate to have met so many wonderful people in our 14 years of dancing. It truly was the very best group of people! And this past year I would think of you and all your implant procedures. I too have gone thru 2 implants that took about a year. A long and expensive journey. Art and I just moved to Webster to a ranch condo after 46 years in East Roch. Again we are so sorry to learn about Jim and wish you our utmost sympathy.
Love,
Art and Kris Martz