James Kehoe Obituary

Kehoe, James

James Kehoe (aka Jim, Jimmy, Dad, Gramps, Pop) passed away on April 28, 2021, after living a full and rich life. He was born December 17, 1936 in Chicago to Ruth (Thetford) and Christopher Kehoe. Jim grew up with friends Ron, Kenny, Ralph and John; as the story goes, they caused only "a little bit of trouble." Jim graduated from St. Mel High School in 1954, and shortly thereafter met Dorine, the love of his life. They married in 1958, and in 1964, built their home in unincorporated Elk Grove, where they raised their daughters. Jim became Papa, Gramps, and Pop to PJ and Alyssa (Barruffi), Kelsey, Maddy and Connor (Schaul), Jack, Matt and Griffin (McEnroe), and great grandfather to Jack Patrick ("JP"). He spent countless hours at baseball diamonds, football fields, basketball courts, dance recitals, in-line hockey games, wrestling and gymnastic meets, always cheering on his favorite team—whichever one his grandchild was on! Jim loved storytelling, and could bring a story to life with his blue eyes as wide as saucers, accompanied by elbow jabs to add emphasis. His stories often allowed him to show off his mastery of an Irish brogue, which he delivered with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. Jim was a quintessential people person who enjoyed his many friends, cruises to wonderful tropical places, and a bucket-list Alaskan vacation with his daughter. He may have held the record for the best garden of all time. Jim spent hours planting, weeding, and cultivating plants that would render his "world famous tomatoes" and a wide variety of vegetables and flowers. The tomatoes were a prize he anxiously awaited each year, bragging that a few of his tomato plants were famous because they had been cast in an episode of Chicago Fire. Twice a year, he would put his gardening tools aside, pack away his personalized "Grandpa" sports chair, and head to the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he would fish AuTrain Lake, bringing home walleye for a much-anticipated fish fry with his family. A couple of years ago, he caught a 6-pound steelhead trout. The story of its fighting capture was a good one; grilling it up for dinner was even better. And yes, there's a picture of that baby to back up the story! Jim put the role of husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend before any other in his life. Family and friends were his number one joy! His survivors include his girls, Cheryl Schaul, Terri Barruffi and Jeanine McEnroe; son-in-law, Jim McEnroe; his eight beautiful grandchildren and great grandson; his brother, Jerry (Jutta) Kehoe; his sister, Jane Thompson; his brother-in-law, Fred (Carol) Renzetti; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Dorine (Renzetti); his brother-in-law, Bob Thompson; his niece, Gina Renzetti; and innumerable relatives and friends--all of whom he "couldn't wait" to see again and catch them up with a story. A limited-capacity memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 15 th at 10:00a at Our Lady of Hope Church in Rosemont. A celebration of Jim's life will follow. Like all good stories, his will live on. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to WINGS, Amita Health Hospice Care Elk Grove Village, or Misericordia.

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