James Goss

JAMES RICHARD GOSS February 5, 1940 – June 23, 2021 Jim Goss, age 81; of Sun City Center FL, formally Chicago Area, beloved husband of Margaret (Sis) nee Reilly; father of James T. Goss (Laurie), Patrick Goss (Adriana), Megan (Philip) Kryszak, Beth Bondi (Jim Kappel), Mary Jo (Jack) Shepherd, Amy (Jim) Burnetti, Michael Goss, Katie Goss and Erin (Steven) Foster; devoted grandfather to 23 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; brother of Jack, Eleanor (Don) Lavelle, Bob, Mike (Lucy), Anne (Rick) Farr; also sisters-in-law Peg Goss, Shirley Goss, Sheila Goss, Nancy Goss-Duran and Connie Reilly, as well as dozens of nieces, nephews and countless friends. Preceded in death by his mother Mary, father Thomas, brothers Thomas, Edward, William and Richard, sister Mary Margaret, his mother-in-law Margaret Mary Reilly and his little angel granddaughter Elizabeth. Jim was born in Chicago, IL to devout Irish Catholic Parents Mary Margaret (Prendergast) and Thomas Cyril Goss as the 7th of their 11 children. He attended St. Ignatius Jesuit College Prep, the oldest educational institution in the City of Chicago, where he was a star athlete that resulted in him receiving an athletic scholarship to DePaul University where he studied Business. Jim ran all track and field events, but his most recognized talent was the Mile. He held the Chicago Mile Record for nearly a decade. Jim continued his athletic career in the Army, where he became the Armed Forces Stars and Stripes Mile Champion. Jim married the love of his life, Sis, at St. Sabina’s Catholic Church, Chicago in 1960 while serving in the Army. After completing his service, they returned to Chicago where they purchased their first home on the South Side. They reluctantly left their family in Chicago for 15 years to follow opportunities in Jim’s career. As they were building their family, he continued his education at Rockhurst University and St. Louis University. Throughout this journey God blessed them with 9 healthy children. Their mobility taught Jim and Sis how to quickly adapt to new environments and the value of always making new friends. They cherish many lifelong friendships from the south area of Chicago, Shawnee Mission, KS, Kansas City, MO, St. Louis, MO, Buffalo, NY and then back to Chicago where they settled in the Northwest Suburbs for 25 years until retirement. In 2009 they relocated full time to Sun City Center, FL. Jim had a long and successful career with Ryerson Steel during a storied time in the industry. His 43-year career spanned sales, sales engineering and management roles. He was part of the team that developed the container shipping that enabled autos to be transported via train cars (trailer trains) and was the account engineer with the team that developed the steel beams produced for The World Trade Center. He completed his career leading the account management and development of the fabricated steel that was used to produce Caterpillar Inc. equipment. And naturally, Jim will be laid to rest in a casket made of steel! Jim lived a life dedicated to service, faith and family. He and Sis were longtime Parishioners of Sts Peter and Paul Parish in Williamsville, New York and St. Theresa Catholic Church in Palatine, IL, where Jim was on the board of the church finance committee and Knights of Columbus, and both Sis and Jim helped create the “Wedding Coordinator” program at the Parish. Jim was passionate about competition, whether it be in good humor, through a card game or via his dedication to his favorite sports teams. He was a lifelong fan of all Chicago sports, notably the Cubs, while the last decade the Tampa Bay Rays have held his undivided attention. His love of sports was powered by his statistical mind, which also translated to his love of the financial markets. He watched CNBC and read WSJ with the same enthusiasm as he did when watching the Cubs win the World Series. Jim is the founder of his neighborhood social club, Kensington R.O.M.E.O’s (Retired Old Men Eating Out), which was representative of his fundamental belief that being social was the greatest gift from living. For many years he kept his Parkinson’s symptoms at arm’s length by golfing as often as possible. When he hung up his golf clubs, he became a spirited and entertaining member of the Rock Steady Boxing Club for those thriving with Parkinson’s. Jim was always the first in a room to volunteer himself to any project, for all 9 of his kids activities, and in recent years at Prince of Peace Catholic Church were he created the recycling fundraising program and where he and Sis served as daily Eucharistic ministers. Jim was active in Bay Area Arbor #763 of Gleaners Service Club and a proud member of the Loyal Order of Moose. Nothing inspired Jim more than his love for family and his generous networking appetite. He felt it was his duty to connect people to one another for shared interests and opportunities. He simply and sincerely loved people and felt he was fortunate to meet so many interesting and unique people throughout his journey. His pride for his family was written across his chest (literally…he had a collection of t-shirts with their names and pictures). The only words he repeated more often than any of his daily prayers were “Let me tell you about my kids…”! Jim’s signature closing line, during sales calls or speaking to family was “Take Care, Now”, in his strong radio announcer voice. Well, Jim, Jimmy, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, friend and lifelong best friend and partner to Sis, you Take Care Now. We love you and are forever blessed for your spirit, sense of adventure, love, loyalty, and life lessons. We will miss those sparkling blue smiling Irish Eyes. Slainte! In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Sun City Center Emergency Squad or a Parkinson’s Cause (Sun City Center Rock Steady Boxing or the Parkinson’s Association). The Family is forever indebted to the many caregivers and loved ones that enabled Sis to always lovingly care for Jim in their home and keep him by her side; Xochil, Rebecca, Daisy, Maria, Bobby, Janet and Jack Meyer, all of the beloved Kensington neighbors, Kings Point friends and the all-volunteer Sun City Center Emergency Squad. The Catholic Funeral Mass will be officiated by Jim's cousin, The Most Reverend Bishop Frank J. Dewane, The Bishop of the Diocese of Venice, FL. The burial will follow Military Funeral Honors. To Livestream the Catholic Funeral Mass: 1. Go to www.popcc.org at approximately 9:50 AM on Wednesday morning. 2. Scroll midway down to Livestream of Mass, click on that 3. You will see the link to open the Funeral Mass for James R. Goss.