A celebration of Life for friend and fellow lookout Jim Stiglich was held in Van Nuys in January 2024.
It was an amazing turnout of family, friends and co-workers. Seeing the LA City FD engines and the sea of uniforms as honor guards is always gripping… but… the 10 bells and bagpipes touch a heart like nothing else. Bring on the tears is an understatement.
There were 16 of us representing the BRF, all wearing our “duds” to honor our friend. It was mentioned several times how much being part of our lookout community meant to Jim. Touching. Several of us were approached by Jim’s immediate family as well as LAFD uniforms to remind us how important we were in Jim’s life. He bragged about us and the work we do to everyone! But it also goes… how important Jim was to us. Irreplaceable is the best description. And he is.
Kathy shared heartfelt and touching thoughts, both personal and on behalf of the BRF. Tough to do… but so well done. Thanks Kathy for being the voice of us all.
The BRF donated $500 to the “Widows and Orphans & Disabled Firefighters” fund in Jim’s memory… a cause that he helped to originate with the now LAFD Fire Chief. Her words describing Jim were inspiring and told of a side that we didn’t know of our friend. Did you know that Jim was one of the first responders who worked the 9-11 Twin Towers tragedy? Neither did we. But… none of this surprises us, really. He was just “that kind” of guy. Working quietly in the background and doing SO much for so many.
Along with the donation to the LAFD fund, the BRF will also create a lasting legacy to Jim, probably at Delilah, his favorite place to hang out. Details will be shared as soon as a decision is made on what that will be. The BOD is looking at several options that we know would make Jim proud. Stand-by on that…
Rich Kinney summed up the day: “10 bells for colleague and retired LAFD fireman Jim Stiglich. This morning family & friends said goodbye to a great, and nice, man”.
Another friend & colleague said of him, “Jim was a simple man. Here’s his description of a simple person (we should all strive to be simple too): 1 Honest, 2 Genuine, 3 Communicative , 4 Polite, 5 Generous, 6 Thoughtful, 7 Optimistic, 8 Grateful, 9 Minimalist, and 10 Kind”.
Tammy nailed it when she said that she kept expecting Jim to walk in at any moment and join the party. It was a gathering that he very much would have enjoyed. I couldn’t agree more.
So… with that all said… I lift my heart up to a guy that we all loved and admired. He leaves a giant hole in all of us and will be truly missed.
Rest in peace our friend. Yours, Wendy
