My Friend Jim

He was my best friend. I could tell him anything and he wouldn’t judge me. Mainly because there was nothing I did that he hadn’t done in spades.

We did a lot of theater together. He was Chief Bromden in “One Flew Over the Coocoo’s Nest”, I had a supporting role. He was Long John Silver in “Treasure Island” I had a supporting role. Do you see the pattern here?

He was so proud of and happy for both of his children. I remember when Emily was born and for years he would carry her around on his shoulders. He was so big and strong and she must have felt so safe and secure being almost 7ft off the ground on her Daddy’s big strong shoulders. She brought him much joy, even when she super glued her friend’s eyelids shut.

Same with Jeremiah. These last few years especially, he became very proud of Jeremiah. We worried about him for a period of time but he proved that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Jim did a lot of things that weren’t mentioned at the funeral. We were both private detectives. We did a lot of things including custody cases. He also worked for SIU School of Medicine. He was paid to let medical students inspect his private parts. Little did they know that he would have done it for nothing.

Of course, we had our comedy troop, Positively Fifth Street. He had a great stage presence. We appeared in front of 400 felons at Menard State Penitently in Chester, Illinois. They did not like our show and started to riot; the guards who were in the towers even cycled shells into their shotguns. Among them, cumulatively, they had probably killed over 700 people. What was another half a dozen comedians? Jim did something which was a little crude and which I won’t mention, but it turned their anger into laughter. He might have saved our lives.

We helped each other through 3 marriages and 3 divorces each. I did his last divorce and he officiated at my last marriage. Between marriages we chased women. He was far more successful than me.

Jim finally made a career move as an Information Technologist. He prospered. He benefited from his association with Harvey and Annette. However, according to Harvey and Annette and the others who were associated with AVROM, their benefit was greater associating with Jim.

He was my anchor, even though he was 10 years younger, he was like my big brother. Sometimes I called his answering machine just to listen to that deep voice which always comforted me.

All of us loved him but some of us like me, needed him. I don’t know if there is another anchor out there for me. I am a little bit lost without him.

The Reverend said he didn’t know where Jim would end up, but if God has a sense of humor and likes homemade whiskey, I am sure he’ll keep Jim nearby.

Love you Jim...

Bill Panichi