James B. Cushing, 73, of Westmont, formerly of Hinsdale, died Dec. 18, 2019.
Jim was born in 1946 in Hinsdale and was a graduate of Hinsdale Central High School. He went on to graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Gamma.
Jim had a vast and exciting career that included racing Formula V Lola race cars, teaching and sales. An avid photographer, Jim began working at an early age at Hinsdale Camera, later becoming an owner of Hinsdale Camera and La Grange Camera. After being a successful salesman for Hallmark, he returned to the photo industry, becoming a very successful and well-liked salesman and manager for Noritsu Corp., which sells, distributes and repairs photo-processing machines. Due to the invention of the digital camera, Jim’s skills and knowledge then transferred to the heating and air conditioning industry, where he was a salesman for Trane and Johnson Controls.
Jim never did really retire, becoming a member of the board of directors of the Ephraim Historical Foundation and a member of the Friends of Peninsula State Park. Jim enjoyed playing golf (except for his slice) and traveling to Italy, London, Paris, Amsterdam, German, China and Russia. Jim never met a stranger and took tremendous pleasure in his family and friends. In later years, Jim and Marilyn spent a majority of each year in Ephraim, Wis., connecting with people who would become lifelong friends.
Jim, always upbeat and energetic, touched the lives of many people with his smile and outgoing personality.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn, nee Hagman; his children, Laura Geis, Lisa (Ted) Parks and Stacy Calloway Cushing; his grandchildren, Brady and Charlotte; his sisters, Becky Barnaby (the late Marty) and Barbara (the late Steve) Morguelan; and his brother, John (Martha) Cushing.
Friends and family will be invited to a memorial service and celebration of life, which will be held early this summer in Ephraim.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ephraim Moravian Church, 9970 Moravia St., Ephraim, WI 54211; or the Ephraim Foundation, 3060 Anderson Lane, Ephraim, WI 54211.
