James Francis English

James (Jim) Francis English, 90, of Louisville, KY, passed away in Greensboro, NC on September 19, 2023. He was born on March 19, 1933, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Charles Joseph English and Mary Josephine Hamberry.

Jim and his eight siblings were raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Holy Spirit Grade School and St. Xavier High School before pursuing a degree at the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Louisville. He also served in the Army for two years.

Jim accepted a job in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where he met the love of his life. After a short courtship, Jim proposed, Mary Elizabeth Clemens said yes, and they chose Louisville, KY, to begin their life together. Soon, along came John and a relocation to Cincinnati. The English Family then welcomed Paul and, next, Mary Jo. Tragically, Mary passed in 1976, and Jim was called to his most significant charge and test of his faith, raising his children without her. He stayed in Cincinnati, nurturing his children while running a successful business, the J.F. English Company.

Throughout his life, Jim was a committed member of the Catholic Church. He modeled God's grace and love through his actions and words. A gentle and kind man, Jim received great joy in simply serving and giving, and he cherished the work he did in Louisville with St. Vincent De Paul and the St. John Center. Jim loved the Lord and people, so serving as a Eucharistic Minister to the homebound was a natural ministry. Of recent, Jim worshiped at St. Pius X Catholic Church and spoke fondly of his rosary hour at Abbottswood at Irving Park in Greensboro.

The joy of his life was his three children and eight grandchildren. Jim gifted them countless memories on Hilton Head Island and at regular family gatherings. He was a proud grandfather and often traveled between states to see them compete and perform.

Jim enjoyed being with and helping people. A fantastic joke and storyteller, Jim was also an excellent listener. He spent the last years of his life in Greensboro, North Carolina, residing with his many new friends at Abbottswood at Irving Park, living close to Mary Jo and her family.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Clemens English and all his siblings, most recently, his beloved brother and best friend, Bob English. He is survived by his children, John Matthew English (Mary), Paul Joseph English (Kathryn), and Mary Jo English Otterberg (Peter); his grandchildren, Emma, Grace, Nolan, Craig, Eric, Helene, Finley, and Declan.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 26, at 10 AM, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at Epiphany Catholic Church in Louisville, Kentucky. A bereavement reception for family and friends will follow the liturgy. On Wednesday, September 27, a Christian Burial will take place at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Cincinnati, where Jim and Mary will rest together in peace.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory can be made to St. Vincent De Paul Louisville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.archLheadywestport.com for the English family.