James Frederick Richwine 1/7/1915-1/9/2013

Our father passed away this January, two days after his 98th birthday. My sweet, gentle father was married for fifty eight years to my Mother – Mary Ellen Shelburn, and had two sons that he was very proud of, Jim and Mike (although I really did think he liked me better). Dad's passions were golfing, fishing, and playing cards (up-your-giggie was his favorite card game with family). Dad was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and worked as a tool maker and ended retiring from Allison's, a division of General Motors. He took early retirement at the age of 58, and moved with my mom to Florida, and never looked back. He founded a Swim Club in Speedway, and a Golf Club in Sun City Center – Calusa Country Club. His life was divided into thrids – his life working, rearing children, and retirement. He was a very happy man with many friends. In his nineties, his parts started to wear out, and he was ready to leave this world. He said many times that he had had a happy life, and could ask for nothing more.

Dad did not have much, but he was happy and knew what he wanted to do. One sad thing that happened to him was he saw all his friends pass on, and he knew that he did not want to be eulogized in a sad way. He instructed Jimmy and I to take some of his money and have a memorial somewhere away from Florida – Jim lives in California and I in Chicago- and celebrate his life. We did!

We had the memorial at Shadow Mountain Resort in Palm Desert California on May 23-27th, 2013. Twenty six children – two of Jim and his wife Dona, my wife Debbie and seven children and their spouses, and ten grandchildren of ours attended. We also invited all our cousins and their families. My ex-wife Jody Hanna-Richwine and her significant other Ken also attended – by way of explanation – Jody grew up in Speedway with us and she was close to Dad. In all some 46 Richwines showed up and a great time was had in Dad's low key style. Some golf was played, family musicians entertained, and even some up-your-giggie was played.