Comments on: Reitchel, James

By: cheryl michaels

cheryl michaels — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:38:31 +0000

i am so sad to hear of jimmy passing, words can not explain.jimmy had one of the biggest hearts a person could ever have.he was a friend to everybody no matter what and he was always there when you needed him.jimmy will always have a place in my heart ,there will always be the laughter and smiles of him always in my memories.we miss you and love you jimmy cheryl,jaimee christina and jonathan

By: Niece Kimmy

Niece Kimmy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 01:38:51 +0000

Dear Friends and Family,

I am just checking back and reading all of the wonderful memories you have posted and the love you have all expressed for Jimmy.

I can’t believe it’s only been a few weeks as it already feels like an eternity for me. I keep thinking lately that I will receive a phone call any day with Jimmy saying “Hi Kim, it’s Uncle Jim, just checking in… call me and tell Paul, Connor and Ryan a big hello from me, I love you and you BETTER call me”.

I keep telling myself that Jimmy is now in a happier place riding horses bareback somewhere in a field of wild flowers without a care in the world. Jimmy would also be so happy to know the three memorable characteristics we all seem to vividely remember and will neve forget are his love of animals, his unconditional caring and compassion for all of us, and his humor that could light up any room. I love and miss you uncle Jim,
x0-K

By: Hector Hernandez

Hector Hernandez — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 23:02:28 +0000

Dear Family Of James

I am so sad of the passing of James was with him for 4 years lived together in Chicago my whole family here and in Mexico are very sad…. Deepest sympathy for all of James family…… Will like talk to someone of James family….. Please call 773 841 6679 Rosemary please call me….. James was a great giving person wonderful human being….. Very sad of his departure…

HECTOR HERNANDEZ 773 841 6679

By: Debby Babalas

Debby Babalas — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:07:56 +0000

To all the Members of the Reitchel Family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on your loss.
It was an honor and a priviledge to know James. He was such a charming young man.We flew together in Boston for months at a time. He was a camellion, that was gifted with so many talents, he made each interaction, a loving experience to cherish. I will forever cherish a sketch that James drew of me on my announcement booklet, which he entitled” To Princess” ( my nickname)” love Demetri “(his name in Greek) He was so proud to share pictures and stories about his family and his animals.That i feel like i know you personally. My heartfelt prayers go out to all of you.
“May His Memory Be Eternal”
All My Love,
Princess

By: Colleen Ericson

Colleen Ericson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:32:46 +0000

Dearest friend for life,
I am heart broken to have you leave, I trust it is where you are meant to be. You taught me friendship, I remember you said to me “Colleen if you have one friend in the world, that is all you need.” You were my friend and will always stay close to me in our continued friendship for eternity. I will not let you go in my heart as the memory holds strong. There are so many memories:
Meeting at Sears laughing so loud while we pretended we were working…
cutting your hair laughing as i tried to give you a “style”….rocking on the rocking chair telling each other stories of how we were going to get my friend Anne to make up with me…horseback riding wildly……dancing the night away and winning the dance contest……finding you a woman…..support for each other during difficult relationships…..drinking margaritas on the hill in Corte Madera…..riding the Stallion at Rosemary’s bare back…..long days at the beach in Marin…..naming my son “Logan” together after our favorite movie “Logan’s Run”….being Logan’s godfather…visits at Rosemary’s farm…..celebrating you getting hired by United…living with us…..talking for hours on the phone through difficult times…..cherished moments that were timeless…..
my forever friend, i so would love to hug you right now and be with you. I know you are near and I will hold you dear to me as the brightest star that has touched the night, I will look up at the sky and think of you.
You leave many friends and family deeply love you and I bet you are smiling knowing that this is true.
in gratitude for you touching my life with your love,
Colleen 530-478-5788 (love to talk with you Rosemary, please call)

By: Joni Littlefield

Joni Littlefield — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:22:59 +0000

Dear Jimmy,
I only had the chance to work with you for 2 Christmas season’s at E.B.Horn, but you were a breath of fresh air. You always made me laugh and your kindness will always be appreciated. You taught me not to over obsess on my scars. You had a few too, but you were so open and honest. You will be missed. I had hopes to to work with you again or at least live a little closer so we might have seen each other more often. Please save a seat for me, and maybe a halo too.
Love and hugs, Joni L

By: Tina Favero

Tina Favero — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:00:39 +0000

Dorice and Family,

I am so sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. I have wonderful memories of him as a happy-go-lucky sort of fellow who, like the entire Reitchel family, always made me feel so at home. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love,
Tina

By: Fiona Lennox

Fiona Lennox — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:27:22 +0000

Dear Reitchel family..I cannot express how much sadness I feel . Jimmy was a true friend to me, so many times he helped me out in some very difficult times. No matter how bad things were , he would always have me laughing in no time. All the times he would cook dinner for the kids & I in Andover. He would shoo me off to have a shower, which included a perfumed towel & glass of wine while he toiled in the kitchen and had the kids occupied playing with toys. The time we went into Boston with 8 kids in tow and Jimmy let the lady at the make-up counter think we were married as he fawned over me and insisted on buying me a fancy skin care kit. I had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing as she remarked “All those children & you still act like teen-agers!!!”
The time we were trying to ‘quietly” trying to put a sofa on top of the station wagon with all the kids in it in without making a scene. Jimmy , of course, had me hysterical when he said ” It`s like the Beverly Hillbillies, all we need is Granny on top!!”
There are many, many other fond memories of Jimmy and all the kind things he has done. Everywhere I look I see things that remind me of him, or can hear his voice . There is no one like Jimmy and I know we will meet again someday. My thoughts, prayers and gratitude go to Mrs. Reitchel and the whole family, who have always treated me and my children like their own. Fiona & family

By: Patty Flanagan

Patty Flanagan — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:50:45 +0000

To James family,

I am so so sorry for your loss … James was an amazing person and a wonderful friend to fly with.
He constantly would tell us stories of his family and it was obvious how much he loved you all.

I have wonderful memories of him and will cherish them forever …

Take good care,

Patty Flanagan
BOSSW

By: Terra Brame

Terra Brame — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:12:53 +0000

James:

I met you for the very first time the day I arrived at the United Airlines Flight Attendant Training Center in Chicago. You were in the room directly across the hall from mine and you came right over introduced yourself and helped me pick the best bed and closet in my dorm room. You were in the class one week ahead of mine. You were the “light” of your class. We both “successfully completed training” and graduated early in 1999.

We were both assigned reserve in JFK and decided that we should share a “crash pad” in Queens on Dartmouth Street. It was you and I and 7 other new flight attendants. We shared a room with 2 other reserves and you had the bottom bunk to my top bunk. You and I talked so much at night when it was bedtime that the other roomates Cat and Gabby got mad at us and told us to “just be quiet and go to sleep” which just made us giggle and cut up even more. Until the final “goodnight John boy” (from Little House on the Praire”.) You were so tall that you also always used your feet to push up my mattress and simulate an earthquake..Guess us Californian’s just thought that was funny…

You helped me through the terminal illness of both of my parents through our years as friends. You helped me with the trials and tribulations of raising three girls and being a flight attendant based away from home in Southern Ca. You took me into your life and introduced me to your sister Dorice, your cousins Rosemary, Andy, Michael and Caitlin. We had a blast visiting Rosemary at the ranch and Michael saved my life when I tried to fall down the slope at the rope swing. smile
I spent a week with you in New Hampshire when you lived in the little cabin with the wood stove and we painted the inside a wild caribbean yellow and you nursed me back to health when I got bronchitas while visiting. We laughed so much that week.

You helped me realize that it was okay to leave United when my daughter Kelli developed anxiety attacks after 9/11 and that God had a way of making life go on after flying.

You encouraged me when I decided later to go back to flying for Virgin America.

Whenever we talked or got to visit with each other you were always sure to tell me what a beautiful family and children I had and what a beautiful person I was. Even when I might not think so. You celebrated so many successes with me. For Kevin, for my girls and for myself.

We had marathon talks on the phone playing catch up.

I admired so much the way you loved your family especially your nieces and nephews. We helped Michael realize his dream of being a firefighter with sage advice from my husband Kevin “the Chief”.

You loved you furry “babies” more than anyone I know.

You had more “drama” both on the small scale and large scale than anyone I will ever meet. But that made it such an adventure to talk or see you each time I had that opportunity.

Your sense of humor, artistic talent, and all those songs and impressions are what made you “James” to me. I remember times we were so bored on reserve in JFK that you would put on music and lip sinc to whatever artist we had on at the time, lots of Diana Ross. You were so spot on and funny.

I was trying to get in touch with you very recently because my trips were layovers in Boston and I thought it would be great if we could get together. I even called Rosemary to track you down. I was shocked when I got the call from her informing me of your death.

I am so sorry that we did not connect and that I was not there for you at the end. I know that I will be seeing you on the other side and that the place you are is a better place. You are no longer in pain, you are free and with all your critters.

I also know that you are looking out for me and that the Love we had as friends is something that can never be taken away. I feel so blessed to have had you as a part of my life and the lives of my family.

You were a wonderful and caring flight attendant, and that can be very difficult at times. You made the uniform proud when you wore it. You always took a positive attitude to work with you and it showed. Plus you were so handsome!

I miss you so much right now that it is difficult to put into words.

Those of you that are James family members need to know how much he was loved by so many that he came in contact with. I for one am so glad that he walked across the hall that day in Chicago to welcome me to Chicago, to his life, and into his world. He made my world a better place just by being my friend.

I’m going to miss you buddy…you take care and keep me in your prays each day.

All my Love,

Terra