James J. Wacker Ontario: October 14, 2022. James is predeceased by his first wife, Marilyn Wacker; second wife, Adela "Annette" Wacker. He is survived by his children, Chris Wacker, and Kim (Aaron) Eyrich; granddaughter, Annabelle Eyrich; siblings, Donna Palmer, and Dustin (Mary) Wacker; brothers-in-law sisters-in-law, Maureen Summa, Thomas Murphy, Margaret (Jim) Karls, Patricia Hanes; step-children, Joe (Michelle) Stearns, Michelle (Tim) Lyon, Bret (Jenny) Stearns, Kari (Jamie) Lovetinsky; grandchildren, Cooper Lyon, Madison (Leo) Castellanos, Jack Lyon, Nicholas Stearns, Hayden Stearns, Hudson Stearns, Colby Lovetinsky, Macie Lovetinsky; several nieces, nephews, cousins dear friends. A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers at Highland Hospital. Jim was an Air Force veteran, serving as a Jet Engine Mechanic in the 449th Field Maintenance Squadron, 449th Bombardment Wing assigned to Strategic Air Command. He also was a retiree of Rochester General Hospital, where he worked in Engineering Services for 31 years. James' Funeral Service will be celebrated Friday, October 21st, at 12 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd). Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 W. 44th St., Suite 609, New York, NY 10036 or Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield IL 60093 in James' memory. Remembering James James Wacker was born in 1943 as WWII was slowly beginning its course to winding down. He lived in an era of many world conflicts and times of great change in technology. He grew up in Rochester as the oldest child with sister, Donna and kid brother Dusty. His mother, Ruth was a nurse and his father, Warren was a WWII veteran Army Signal Corpsman who later worked as a supervisor for Rochester Telephone Corp. Jim's dad was stationed in Europe when he was born and as many GI's did, he wrote a letter to his son in case he didn't return. Jim attended Hilton High School and then continued the family military tradition and served as a jet engine mechanic for the Air Force. He was Crew Chief on a B-52H Bomber in the 449th Maintenance Squadron. He later flew with this plane crew during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His mechanical skills came in useful when it came to his career choices. He owned and operated a gas station, was a Chrysler mechanic. However, the bulk of his career was spent at Rochester General Hospital, where he eventually retired as the Group Leader of the Electromechanical Group. This group took care of gas transport, surgical lighting and equipment repair, as well as sterilizer maintenance. Before leaving Rochester General Hospital, he was lucky enough to be able to work with his son there. Jim met Marilyn K. Murphy and soon realized she should become a permanent part of his life. They were married at Sacred Heart Cathedral in 1969 and later they had two beautiful children, Chris and Kim. The family enjoyed traveling far and near to places like China, Germany, Italy, Greece, Canada, Florida and beach trips to North Carolina coast with Annette. They took historical trips to Gettysburg and Genesee Country Museum and loved antique shopping. In his youth, he loved hunting and fishing, but once he had his own family, he really valued his time with them. Jim was a devoted father and enjoyed being involved with Chris's boy scout troop and the many camping trips to Massawepie Scout Camp. Though he'd like to forget his kid's teenage years and Kimmy dating, he wanted always to be involved in their lives. He also valued his friends. Whitey and Ellie Haefner were 2 close friends he often spent time with. Over the years he was a country music fan. John Denver was a favorite, but on the flip side, he also liked to listen to Elvis! Jim liked TV shows like The Andy Griffith Show, The Waltons, The 3 Stooges, Longmire and Amos & Andy. As many of us do, Jim disliked upstate NY winter weather, but loved singing in the shower! He hated bananas but put a Bill Gray's garbage plate in front of him and he was a happy guy. He loved his recliner and a nice slice of key lime pie, but more than anything he loved his family. They enjoyed his selfless nature, handiness, honesty, persistence, quick wit, humor and loyalty. He was thoughtful and forever "the planner." He will be missed. James's daughter, Kimberly, wrote this eulogy for her dad: Not too long ago I came across a quote which I immediately sent to my Dad. It read, "If after you are grown you think back on your childhood and smile you were raised by a great man." I called my Dad to make certain he received it and how much I appreciated the man and father he was. I could go on forever today telling you everything that was wonderful about my father, however there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish that. Therefore, I will give you a small snapshot, albeit inadequate snapshot of the man he was to me. Although we were not the richest of families while I was growing up, my brother and I can look back fondly and recognize the things that mattered most, carried no price tag as they could neither be bought or sold. My father was a simple man, the hardest of workers, a devoted man who adored my mother, and loved his family with every fiber of his being. We never wanted for anything as my father always made certain we were provided for, even if that meant he went without. To me my father was larger than life, quelling my fears during thunderstorms with giant bear hugs, scooping me up in his arms when I would race to greet him after he came out of work, and holding me through heartbreak years later. I remember my father smelling of Brut aftershave which he would splash on my face when I was little as I watched my hero shave getting ready for work. My father was dirty hands after working on the family car, he was Bill Gray's garbage plates, he was sealing the driveway, painting the house, and trudging through the blustery cold and snow for hours because we wanted to find the perfect Christmas tree. My father was barbecuing on the charcoal grill, he was Genny cream ale, peppermint schnapps, 1950's cars, peanut M&M's, Ridge Donuts, Cashews, and Science programs narrated by Carl Sagan. My father was a warm fire in the fireplace, a cozy recliner, Christmas decorations, the movie It's a Wonderful Life, and any Nicholas Spark's movie. My father was green carnations he brought to my mother every St. Patrick's Day, roses for their anniversary, and picking my mother up off the ground for a big hug and kiss. My brother and I had the privilege of witnessing my father and mother's love story firsthand, even after my mother passed away at a young age my father continued to regale us with stories of their romance and tell me that no matter what, my mother was still his girl. My father taught me a woman should be strong and independent, despite the fact he was raised in a time when that was not emphasized. My father gave me my love of spicy foods, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, 1940's and 50's music and movies, and after listening to stories of his younger years, he made me long to live in a time when life was much simpler. My father made me toe the line, demanding respect, that I never talk back to my mother, I abide by the rules of the house (as he would say, "as long as you're living under my roof,") and that I complete the necessary chores around the house with no allowance much to my chagrin. (As he would say, "You live rent free therefore you should participate in the upkeep of the home you live in,) and if I failed to follow through with any of those requests there would be repercussions. I sat through numerous lectures which were my father's attempts to direct me in the right path, and during my teen years it seemed as though they occurred on a daily basis, and during my college years they took place every time I came home. Despite this my father never gave up and stated he knew I would come through it all explaining, "You and I are very much alike, not only in looks but personality as well. Unfortunately, kiddo you are very much like me in every way...good and bad." My father and I were always very close and after the passing of my mother that bond became even stronger. To say the passing of my Dad has been devastating would be an understatement. There have been moments where I find it difficult to breathe and it physically aches, I miss him so much. However, I try and take solace in the fact I was privileged to have him as a father, and to be able to spend so much time with him in his later years and at the time of his passing. I am so grateful he was able to meet my husband Aaron, and become so close with him, referring to Aaron as his third child. A couple of days before he passed, my father was having a difficult time speaking, but he told me he talked to my mother. I will always take comfort knowing he still recognized me, told me he loved me, and that my mother was talking to him. I believe my mother has been patiently waiting for him and now they can be together forever, where they will always be young, they will never know pain again, and they can continue their love affair. I love you so much Dad. Your daughter Kimberly (Kimmie) Eyrich