James Jim D Kinsella

James D. Kinsella (age 74) Army Veteran

Beloved husband of Carolyn nee: O’Connell

Loving father of James, Gerald (Donna), and Joseph.

Dear brother of JoAnn (late Charles) Apley, and Jean (late Peter) Gennaro.

Uncle to many and a friend to all. Jim was a proud member of Local 399 Operating Engineers

Funeral Chapel Service : 11:00 am Thursday Feb. 16, 2012 at Chapel Hill Gardens South

Funeral Home 11333 S. Central Ave. Oak Lawn, Il. 60453

Visitation: Wednesday 3:00pm 9:00pm

Please celebrate Jim’s life at www.chapelhillgardenssouth.com

Funeral Info: 708-636-1200

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Jim's Story...

To James D Kinsella, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Jim, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Jim really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

His parents were James C. Kinsella and Margaret Mary Carr Kinsella. Jim was raised in Chicago, Illinois. Even as a child, Jim had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

Always a good playmate, Jim was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Jim managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Jim was raised with two siblings. He had two sisters Joanne and Jean.

All of Jim's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Jim experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in playing baseball and football. In his spare time he liked anything that had to do with baseball and football.

Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Jim was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Jim simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Jim, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Jim's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Jim graduated from Calumet High School. In 1956. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

Jim never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Jim to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Jim delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Jim was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Jim utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of his best friends were the Dukes. Jim loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Jim very easy to approach. On May 8th, 1961 Jim exchanged wedding vows with Carolyn O Connell at Jim and Carolyn eloped to Crown Point, Indiana and that is where they shared their love and their i do's. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Perhaps the reason Jim related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Jim was blessed with three sons, James, Jerry and Joe. Jim had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Jim's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Jim had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

At work, as in life, Jim was a real “people person.” He had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Jim liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Jim was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Jim's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Jim as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was as a Stationary Engineer. He was employed for University of Illinois.

Jim was also an Army Veteran. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Private 1st Class.

Jim enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Jim liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were Bird Houses. Jim was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Jim felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Jim loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Jim relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Jim never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Jim was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list of course was baseball and "his" Chicago Cub's.

A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Jim often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, Jim was a member of several community groups, serving on committees for the Elk's Club, and also a proud member of Local 399 Operating Engineers.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Jim recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member of the Catholic faith.

Naturally outgoing and generous, Jim was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Jim was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life, but what mattered most was being considered # 1 Husband & Dad.

Living life in the fast lane suited Jim just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included trips to Las Vegas.

Jim was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Jim's favorites was a Black Labrador Retriever.

Jim believed that you had to experience life, and his life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 1995, Jim took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With his boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Jim remained busy with people and projects. Even in retirement, Jim continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, since he'd never met a stranger, he made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Jim passed away on February 12, 2012 peacefully at home surrounded by his loving wife and family. He is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn, his treasured sons Jim, Jerry, and Joseph, his sisters Joann and Jean. cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends . Services were held at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home where we celebrated his life.

Jim brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. James D Kinsella lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.