James I Bardsley

Bardsley, James I., Jr., "Jim", 84, of Sea Towers in Madeira Beach, died February 12, 2013 at home. He was born in Philadelphia, PA and came here in 1995 from Bucks County, PA. He received his Doctorate of Chiropractic Degree from Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, IN in 1951 and then served in the Army during the Korean conflict. Following his service in the Army, he returned to Pennsylvania where he began his chiropractic practice in Philadelphia. He later moved his practice to Bucks County. Jim was a pilot and was a member of the Quiet Birdmen, Tampa Bay Hangar, where he served as Beam Man. He was also a member of the Comanche Society where he served as Tribe Chief. Jim first soloed more than 50 years ago and since that time has owned 6 airplanes. The second one put him on crutches when the engine failed during takeoff on Father's Day in 1976. The injuries suffered in that accident left him a paraplegic, which ended his Chiropractic career. It did not stop him from flying again though and he owned four more airplanes with special hand brakes. He and Elaine flew those airplanes all over the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and Guatemala. Jim served as President of the Ben Salem High School Board and was instrumental in establishing their Hall of Fame, in which he was inducted in 1989. He served as a Governor of the Concord Towers Building in Sea Towers Condominiums. He was still volunteering at Heritage Village and was a member of the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society where he participated in a four year dig along Boca Ciega Bay. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Elaine; his daughter and her husband, Dolores & Dennis Boell; his granddaughter and her husband, Elizabeth & James Lineman; his grandson and his wife, James & Leslie Boell; and his great grandchildren, Zachary, Grace and Leda Lou. A Gathering will be held at Reese Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. where a Celebration of Life Service will be held at 7:00 P.M.