James J. Cashman

Cashman, James J. Died peacefully on February 9, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. A devoted family man, hardworker, and eternal optimist, Jim lived a long, rich life ending with a struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. One of eight children of Irish parents, James and Elizabeth (Nolan) Cashman, Jim was raised in Owatonna, MN. While still a teenager, he served two years in the Navy during WWII. Afterwards, he attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota where he made lifelong friends in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Following graduation, he had a successful 45 year career in yearbook sales with Jostens. He loved his job and the relationships he built with teachers and students while traveling all over the great state of Minnesota. In 1951, he married his sweetheart, Mildred "Billie" Hetznecker. During their 64 years of marriage, they created a legacy of family, friends, and faith. A passionate and energetic lover of life, Jim was a legendary husband, father, grandfather, friend, adventurer, entrepreneur, mentor, and jokester. With his signature coffee cup in hand, he started each day singing joyfully and off-key, and followed with the phrase, "It's a Beautiful Day!" He worked tirelessly but always made time for those he loved, a tennis match, a run, and a good adventure. Jim will be deeply missed and his life celebrated by his loving wife Billie; his 9 children: Paul Cashman (Christie Shurtleff), Dan Cashman, Colleen Tracy (Mark), Anne Dolan, Molly Sebold (Greg), James E. Cashman (Mary Germscheid), Maggie Cashman (Dan Repinski), Patty O'Reilly (Tom), and Kerry Cashman (Bill Barnett); his grandchildren: Cara, Erin, Mark, Andrea, Kevin, Matt, Chris, Michael, Anna, Meghan, Liz, Kerry, Jenna, Tommy, Greta, Emily, Jack, Gina, Mary, Izzy, Anna, Katie, Jimmy, Celina, Ellie; and great-grandchildren: Stella, Kaylin, Ava, Ryan, Oli, Eli, Sawyer, Lyla, Robby, Natalia, and Jacqueline. He is also survived by sisters, Liz Troy and Marge Gallagher; brother Joe, and sister-in-law Evie, as well as many nieces and nephews. Please join us in honoring Jim. Feel free to wear color. Visitation: Friday, February 13, 2015 4-7 pm and Saturday 10-11 am. Funeral Mass: Saturday, February 14, 11 am. Lunch to follow. St. Gabriel of Archangel - St. John's Campus, 6 Interlachen Rd, Hopkins, MN 55343. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association (MN-ND Chapter). The Cashman family wants to thank the staff at Friendship Village for the compassionate care they provided Jim in his final years.

Tributes

James J. Cashman

February 9, 2015

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