Jimmy Dempsey is a blessing in the life of anyone lucky enough to have known him: a veteran of the Navy who served on the USS Alaska in WWII, a true Irish gentleman who loved black coffee and a good laugh, always had a comb in his pocket to slick back his hair and was the first to help out, and a kind man who always had a word, a smile or a story for a neighbor in the yard or a friend at church. But for those of us lucky enough to know him well he is a real hero: who was the man of the family before he reached high school, who learned to cook in his 90s when his wife needed him, and the Grandpa who could be found in the sidelines at every baseball game and in the crowd at every concert, parade and graduation.
With a singular demeanor; a gentle and a quiet strength; a kindness and character that couldn’t go unnoticed, he is the definitive good guy and everyone’s best buddy. James loved living life. He loved learning and read everything that found it’s way in front of him. He loved baseball, exploring the world with the Navy and with his wife Helen, Jeopardy, golf, a nice glass of wine, a good book, and ice cream. He is the guy who was asked for a ride, said yes before asking where the ride was to and drove to Alabama keeping his promise. He is the guy who made it up the stairs for brunch every Sunday, and just made a joke or called himself Pokey Joe as over the years it took longer and longer to reach the house. He is the guy who always made it through Easter Vigil until 3 am, and who never missed watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve just so that he could be the first to say Happy New Year, and he is the guy who would answer the phone or sit on the swing and talk to anyone for hours about important things or even just about the weather.
Whether he was parking cars, working as a machinist for Ward Leonard, being a school milkman, volunteering at church bingo each week, or supporting his family Jimmy made friends and memories that he kept until the end.
He lived a full and healthy 96 years, and said himself that he was ‘thrilled to bits’ with how his life turned out. A man of intelligence, a man of faith, a man of love, a life well lived. James Dempsey will be forever loved and missed by his wife of 67 years, Helen, his children: Dennis and Kenneth; their wives Trixie and Mary Anne, and his grandchildren: Erik, Arianne, Logan, Kerri and Kyle.
Visiting hours will be Tuesday, June 24th from 2-4 and 6-8 at Whalen and Ball. Services will be held on Wenesday, June 25th at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Yonkers. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
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