All,
I saw Jim for the last time several says ago. He was very, very sick but he still had his incredible, irrepressible spirit.
His death truly IS a loss to all who knew him.
I agree with all that Katie said and will add just a few other parts of Jim's significant legacy.
Jim was always pushing himself -- and all around him -- to do more, especially for those with "less."
Jim was a founder and driving force behind "We Can Say No!" And the "Abington Community Taskforce" and, as Katie so articulately described, served as a real advocate for youth.
To me, Jim was a real "hero" for our community and our youth ... And, like many others, I will miss him very much....
Bill
William Kelly
Chief of Police
Abington Township
Friday, June 10, 2011
The Last Request
here is a poem my dad sent to a friend when her father died:
The Last Request
Please don’t say that I gave up, just say I gave in,
Don’t say I lost the battle,
For it was God’s war to lose or win.
Please don’t say how good I was, but that I did my best.
Just say I tried what’s right,
To give the most I could, not to do less.
Please don’t give me wings or halos,
that’s for God to do.
I want no more than I deserve, no extras, just my due.
Please don’t give me flowers or talk in hushed tones.
Don’t be concerned about me now,
I’m well with God, I’ve made it home.
Don’t talk about what could have been,
it’s over and it’s done.
Just see to all my family’s needs,
Especially the little ones.
When you draw a picture of me,
Don’t draw me as a saint. I’ve done some good,
I’ve done some wrong, so use all your paint.
Not just the bright and light tones.
Use some gray and dark, in fact
Don’t put me down on canvas,
Paint me in your heart.
Don’t just remember good times,
but remember all the bad.
For life is full of many things, some happy and
some sad, but if you must do something
then I have one last request.
Forgive me the wrong I’ve done
and with the love that’s left,
Thank God for my soul’s resting,
Thank God for I’ve been blessed.
Thank God for all who loved me.
Praise God who loved me best.
…Author Unknown
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Jim Sheldon 1945 - 2011
It is with great sadness I share the death of my father.
His memorial service will be on Thursday, June 9th at 2 pm.
St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh
Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034
www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org
215-233-3970
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abington YMCA
1073 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001
His memorial service will be on Thursday, June 9th at 2 pm.
St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh
Bethlehem Pike and Camp Hill Road
Fort Washington, PA 19034
www.stthomaswhitemarsh.org
215-233-3970
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Abington YMCA
1073 Old York Road
Abington, PA 19001
Tara,
We carry around images and feelings of important people in our lives (it’s like comfortable baggage): their power and influence comes to us at different times, for very different reasons, and mostly in very private ways. I want you to know that your dad is and will always be part of my life. He was important to me as a real friend and buddy, and a guy who knew how to treat people right. His passing is a loss to humanity.
Love,
Steve Goggin
I am so sad to hear about Jim's passing. He was an incredible man that made a huge difference in the lives of so many. I am sorry to say that I will be leaving town for a month- long work assignment starting on Wednesday and will have to miss the memorial service. I would love to honor Jim and the legacy he has left in Abington, and I, of course, support anything ACT wants to do to honor Jim or care for his family.
The Teen Council and Teen Forum exist in large part to Jim's vision. Just this week several kids said that Teen Council was their favorite high school activity because it gave them a sense of value and community. Jim was one of the first people to fully invest in the Teen Council. The community and sense of value the kids experienced were part of Jim's original vision for this group. The structure that currently exists and which allows kids to have such great ownership of the group was Jim's original dream and creation. Without him, these kids may not have had the opportunity to have the experiences that meant so much to them. I know that I personally would not be involved today had it not been for Jim. I consider it an honor to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time. If it is appropriate, please pass along my admiration for Jim and my sincere sadness over his passing to his family.
--
Katie Gorbey
Area Director
Young Life Montgomery County
--
Katie Gorbey
Area Director
Young Life Montgomery County
flipping pencils into the ceiling
I worked for your Dad from 1974-79. My partner Kate and I spent lots of time with you, Kelley, and Dale. I was the Director of the Sunshine Outreach Center at the Silver Spring Y and Kate was the Education Director for Metro Planned Parenthood in DC. We were introduced (as a couple) by Gary and Bonnie Graham (Gary was at the Bethesda Y also as an Outreach Director at the time.) I thought your mother, Dale was beautiful and amazing. We had some great times together as couples.
So, my understanding is that Jim has hospice care and is close to saying goodbye, I hope that’s not accurate, but am assuming you are in the process of losing your father.
He was an interesting and genuine/authentic man to me Tara. What that means to me is that I could count on him to be real and tell the truth. I didn’t always agree with his views or approach to things..but I loved that he would sit back and listen..and consider..and be a real. First image that comes to mind: me sitting in his office, debating different things..like what’s the best way of involving the Y with juvenile justice diversion strategies, and what to do about the county government funding, and why does the Physical Ed department need to subsidize the outreach department? He’d lay back in his chair, look up, and toss sharpened pencils, end over end, sticking them perfectly in the ceiling. I thought that was cool even though sometimes he’d say no way to my proposal. But I’m serious, he would flip those pencils into the ceiling tile all the time..after awhile, his ceiling looked like the target of a 12-gauge rifle range.
Kate and I remember watching the French Open or some tennis match on your patio, Jim had (of course) brought out the TV, and in addition, was building something..he always seemed to be building something which was amazing to me given how busy he was.
He’s too young to go through this Tara, but as unfair as it is, you have my word that your Dad has done amazing things; support for people who are hurting, belief in the underdogs of the world; principles that value and underscore that everyone is equal; and a genuineness that was admired by a great many people.
Love to you Kelley and Dale,
Steve Goggin
Kate Potteiger
So, my understanding is that Jim has hospice care and is close to saying goodbye, I hope that’s not accurate, but am assuming you are in the process of losing your father.
He was an interesting and genuine/authentic man to me Tara. What that means to me is that I could count on him to be real and tell the truth. I didn’t always agree with his views or approach to things..but I loved that he would sit back and listen..and consider..and be a real. First image that comes to mind: me sitting in his office, debating different things..like what’s the best way of involving the Y with juvenile justice diversion strategies, and what to do about the county government funding, and why does the Physical Ed department need to subsidize the outreach department? He’d lay back in his chair, look up, and toss sharpened pencils, end over end, sticking them perfectly in the ceiling. I thought that was cool even though sometimes he’d say no way to my proposal. But I’m serious, he would flip those pencils into the ceiling tile all the time..after awhile, his ceiling looked like the target of a 12-gauge rifle range.
Kate and I remember watching the French Open or some tennis match on your patio, Jim had (of course) brought out the TV, and in addition, was building something..he always seemed to be building something which was amazing to me given how busy he was.
He’s too young to go through this Tara, but as unfair as it is, you have my word that your Dad has done amazing things; support for people who are hurting, belief in the underdogs of the world; principles that value and underscore that everyone is equal; and a genuineness that was admired by a great many people.
Love to you Kelley and Dale,
Steve Goggin
Kate Potteiger
Jim,
As I shared when visiting you a short time ago, I have so many more memories when we worked together than all my years since. I want to share with you many of them.
What I learned as an impressionable 24 year old…. That I use today.
Interviews don’t have to be sterile. My interview for the Abington Y Physical Director position was at an airport hotel bar. You had a Southern Comfort on the rocks, Sandy
Staff meetings can be a 3 hour stream of consciousness with agendas that go on and on… Oh boy, and in the early years spending all that time in a smoky room on Friday afternoons. I think we all had nicotine high. No wonder we all headed off to the bar after the meeting broke.
Puppy eyed stare of the supervisor. (This is my favorite one to use) Oh when we brought problems to you. We would sing our blues and you would just give us that look. When Kay Wingerd complained that the membership phones weren’t working over and over, you just listened. Once your phone was switched with one of the troubles ones, we got a new phone system in two weeks!
Budget meetings- Jim taught me the Tom Hopkins sales approach. In any negotiation, the first one who speaks loses. Jim. “So your Youth Swimming revenues are only $28K, up only 3.5%? Is it rate increase or increased enrollment? Pause. Greg, “OK make it $30k.” Jim “So your Youth Swimming wages are up almost 5% to 18K? Pause. Greg , OK
Drastic measures. When you didn’t respond to Jim’s suggestions or memos (no email thankfully in those days), he would resort to drastic measures. In 1986, Ed Mullis, was our Aquatic Director, and his office was on the pool balcony visible to all in the pool. Jim had asked time and again for Ed to clean up his office to no avail. Then one day, while Ed was teaching a swimming class, Jim carried a 55 gallon trash can into the pool area, climbed up into Ed’s office and started throwing stuff into the trash can sitting on the pool deck. You should have seen Ed’s face!
Quotes. Jim would help people feel the YMCA through use of quotes on memos and meeting agendas. He gave me a quote book that I use regularly still today. My favorite quote he used was something like, “Renke IV If you don’t have it, you can’t spend it.”
Financial analysis. Jim introduced me to the Salary/Revenue ratios. Different program areas have different S/R norms. A quick calculation of the ratio can let you know you have a problem to resolve. Its always the first thing I check.
Budgeting. Oh those were the days when Jim made us use a calculator with a tape to check our work Oh the hours we spent adding numbers and letting the tape pile up on the floor. Jim used to make us round to the nearest $100. It was neat and clean- it was a guide. We found out he liked to use 100s because it was easier for him to push the 00 key on the calculator then two more key strokes. I still like to round to the nearest 100. There’s something comforting about it.
Jim’s budget forms. They made you list your enrollment and revenue history for two years and then based upon that data make a decision for the next year. Boy how I loved those forms. So much so, that when I moved on I recreated them into excel and added all sorts of formulas. We still use them and I have those same conversations you had with me 25+ years ago.
Love and Compassions during a Crisis. You really see who a person is when things go wrong. Jim, we went through so much together, but nothing was as intense as the 1985 summer camp drowning of Marty Green. You were an inspiration in how much love and compassion you showed the three lifeguards who were on duty, fellow campers, me and certainly the family. It wasn’t until 1997 until we really talked about how the event had affected each of us.
My dad’s quote- 1985, my dad after meeting you said to me, “That’s how I picture you in 20 years.” Oh, not the headband, missing hair and knee brace. But I was always proud of the statement.
You can have a wonderful friendship with those who you work with and for: Working lunches, Volleyball leagues, Dewey Beach house, Skiing, parties at your house, sharing time with our families. I learned that as I became your friend, I never wanted to disappoint you and as a result, never worked harder.
One final memory… in order to get you to come to the surprise baby shower, I convinced you that a pipe burst in the filter room and the water was pouring into the childcare center. I met you halfway down the hall and shook my head stating how bad it was…. Only to see you be totally surprised by the large group gathered there. It was hard to pull something over on you, so this was one to remember.
Thank you, Jim. For being my friend throughout the years. For all the hundreds of valuable lessons. For the many long conversations. You have been the most influential person in my life. As I told you when we were together, I see your influence nearly every day in the many things I do and conversations with staff. I owe most of what I know and my success to you.
Your influence lives on in the lives, that those of us who worked with you, touch. In the end we want to believe we made a difference. YOU DID! Thank you for this gift. God bless you.
Greg
I cherish the Y-related memories of our "good ol' days" in the YMCA...Our times with our former colleague, Ray Brown were always full of wisdom, wit and fun!
Jim set a wonderful example for young staff and willingly shared his expertise.....and could he dance!! He is loved by his many Y friends, both locally and Internationally. I wish for him, peace.
Wendy M. Fox
Jim set a wonderful example for young staff and willingly shared his expertise.....and could he dance!! He is loved by his many Y friends, both locally and Internationally. I wish for him, peace.
Wendy M. Fox
cool dude
My memory of Jim Sheldon was his first day on the job at the Abington YMCA.
It just happened to be a Wednesday and we had a meeting scheduled for the Branch Executives at the Holiday Inn on Market St. in Philadelphia. We other Executives had heard that the new Exec. from Abington was starting that day, so during the coffee and donut time prior to the meeting, I was sort of looking to the door for the new guy. At once this cool dude in a blue leisure suit, blonde hair and a sun tan from playing Volleyball on Dewey Beach appeared. That day I met Jim Sheldon, the coolest of them all. A good friend for over 25 years who taught me that "Caring for People" was the basis of our work in the YMCA.
Hank Van Zanten
All of us associated with the YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity are saddened with the declining health of our friend and colleague Jim Sheldon. We were all so fortunate to have him as an integral part of this organization for so long we just assumed that he would be there as friend and counselor always. His legacy will live forever through the Abington YMCA and all of the people he touched by his service as a Y professional.
We all enjoyed seeing Jim at our Strong Kids Annual Support Campaign Kick Off and Victory Celebrations as he continued to be a strong advocate for kids and a generous donor for all the things he believed in. Twenty years ago Jim and a few colleagues and volunteers established an International Partnership with the Yaroslavl YMCA that continues today and his touch of Y staff and volunteers is not restricted to this area as his friends in Russia have a special affection for him too.
We are all praying for our friend and colleague to do well and be peaceful. Thanks Jim for everything.
John F. Flynn
President/CEO
YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity
We all enjoyed seeing Jim at our Strong Kids Annual Support Campaign Kick Off and Victory Celebrations as he continued to be a strong advocate for kids and a generous donor for all the things he believed in. Twenty years ago Jim and a few colleagues and volunteers established an International Partnership with the Yaroslavl YMCA that continues today and his touch of Y staff and volunteers is not restricted to this area as his friends in Russia have a special affection for him too.
We are all praying for our friend and colleague to do well and be peaceful. Thanks Jim for everything.
John F. Flynn
President/CEO
YMCA of Philadelphia and Vicinity
My dear friend Jim -
Thank you for giving me the friendship and opportunity for life. Little did I know when Rich and Tony recruited me for a Dewey Beach House, that you would enter my life and have such influence on its course.
You invited me to join the Abington Y team where I worked with and learned from some of the finest volunteers I have ever known and where I saw the respectful, fun and effective partnership you shared with them. You held onto your passion for youth development as you encouraged the growth of programs for kids and teens throughout the community. I have met friends of yours from Ys in Russia and around the world who smile then give a great, warm laugh when we figure out we both know Jim Sheldon. I even met a guy here in Cincinnati who, with his siblings, grew up on your Silver Spring Swim Team. He too shared that same smile and joy to discover we both knew Jim Sheldon.
I saw the joy and love in your eyes when you tickled your kids, and watched them run and grow into the adults you would love even more. Whether digging a new garden or fixing a new space, you were always engineering and designing with deep love and fine aesthetics. Your heart belongs to Kay but I have always been grateful you shared some fast jitterbugs with me - even if our enthusiasm sometimes landed us on our tails.
Jim - You gave caring advice and counsel to nourish so many of our leadership journeys and when we were ready, you let so many of us fly yet never said good-bye. You cherish and keep friendships. It always feels like we sat just yesterday when we reconnect after months.
Jim - I'm sitting with you this morning. Though far away, you are in my heart and always will be because, you see, you are a friend for a lifetime. I love ya man - all sweaty bandanna, knee brace wearing, volleyball teaching, mellon ball making, mechanical pencil using, always making it work better, welcoming to all - parts of you.
God's Peace, dear friend. You will be with me always.
Love,Sandy
Thank you for giving me the friendship and opportunity for life. Little did I know when Rich and Tony recruited me for a Dewey Beach House, that you would enter my life and have such influence on its course.
You invited me to join the Abington Y team where I worked with and learned from some of the finest volunteers I have ever known and where I saw the respectful, fun and effective partnership you shared with them. You held onto your passion for youth development as you encouraged the growth of programs for kids and teens throughout the community. I have met friends of yours from Ys in Russia and around the world who smile then give a great, warm laugh when we figure out we both know Jim Sheldon. I even met a guy here in Cincinnati who, with his siblings, grew up on your Silver Spring Swim Team. He too shared that same smile and joy to discover we both knew Jim Sheldon.
I saw the joy and love in your eyes when you tickled your kids, and watched them run and grow into the adults you would love even more. Whether digging a new garden or fixing a new space, you were always engineering and designing with deep love and fine aesthetics. Your heart belongs to Kay but I have always been grateful you shared some fast jitterbugs with me - even if our enthusiasm sometimes landed us on our tails.
Jim - You gave caring advice and counsel to nourish so many of our leadership journeys and when we were ready, you let so many of us fly yet never said good-bye. You cherish and keep friendships. It always feels like we sat just yesterday when we reconnect after months.
Jim - I'm sitting with you this morning. Though far away, you are in my heart and always will be because, you see, you are a friend for a lifetime. I love ya man - all sweaty bandanna, knee brace wearing, volleyball teaching, mellon ball making, mechanical pencil using, always making it work better, welcoming to all - parts of you.
God's Peace, dear friend. You will be with me always.
Love,Sandy
go to the "camp" - THE best family vacations EVER!
If we could have, no doubt my father would have spent his vacations at our amazing "Camp" in the Gulf of Mexico:
Slept 17
Fish by day / fish by night
Watch the shrimp boats at sunset
Showers via milk jugs warmed in the sun
"To meet, to know, to love and then to part is the sad tale of many a human heart."
Jim, I just reconnected with Bobbi Stettner-Eaton at a dinner. She told me about you and this blog and I just had to write to you. You were my first legit swim coach and I hope you know how much respect, love and admiration I had for you. I still remember the day you walked onto the pool deck to tell us you would no longer be our coach. We were all devastated by your announcement because we knew we would never find another Jim Sheldon, a coach who understood each of us as individuals, who motivated and encouraged us to be our best, to set goals and then to go for them, a coach who taught us as much about life as he did about swimming, a coach who we adored! As you walked away, you recited a poem that I have remembered ever since, "To meet, to know, to love and then to part is the sad tale of many a human heart." You have touched my heart and my life. I hope and pray you are on the journey back to health.
Thank you for being you,
Stacy Pazornik Gorin
ACT 2006 Recognition Reception Honoree
| 2006 Recognition Reception Honoree: Jim Sheldon Jim Sheldon, came to the Abington area as Executive Director of the Abington Branch of the YMCA Philadelphia and Vicinity. Prior to that he spent 14 years in the Silver Spring Branch of the Washington, D.C. YMCA. His professional career has been marked by many accomplishments, including recognition as one of the "Outstanding Young Men in America," serving as a delegate to a Soviet/American Youth Forum in Russia, and receiving several Liberty Trail Chapter APD (the YMCA’s Association of Professional Directors) Awards: 1985, Leadership; 1988, Project Award; 1994, Award of Excellence; 1998, Budget Management. Jim's early life was one of character development led by his mother and father. As the oldest of nine children he learned compassion and family responsibilities from his mother. His military father instilled qualities of leadership and teamwork. He served as an altar boy in his Roman Catholic church, was active in the CYO, and is a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Whitemarsh. Jim’s involvement in the community began with membership in the Jenkintown Rotary Club, where he has served on the Board of Directors on three separate occasions, spanning many years. That organization spawned the consortium known as "We Can Say No," where he was a founding member as well as its President for two years. Notably over its 15 years of existence, “We Can Say No" sponsored 15 leadership weekend camps for more than 1,500 Abington, Jenkintown, and Upper Dublin junior high/middle school students. Over 3,000 young people attended their Spring Leadership Days. When crisis enveloped the Abington community in 1994, Jim was one of the founding members of the Abington Community Taskforce and remains a pillar of strength here today. As a member of ACT he has chaired the Religious/Agency Services Committee for the past several years. Under Jim’s leadership, this committee has organized and run ACT’s Youth Forum in 2003, 2004, and early 2006 to bring youth into the Taskforce and promote civic engagement in their community. As a result, one of Jim's dreams has been realized in the formation of the ACT Teen Council comprising student members from tenth through twelfth grade. Jim’s dreams were further realized when this Council developed much of the format for the 2006 Youth Forum. Jim’s ultimate goal is to have the Youth Forum completely youth planned and driven and adult supported. Jim has been devoted to the community. His belief in the Abington-Rockledge community is best served by its commitment and investment of key community leaders, the Abington School District, Abington Police Department, social agencies, and numerous community organizations. Jim notes, “These leaders have longevity, and their continuity is important. Abington is a community that is proactive and on the cutting edge of the national projects.” With respect to goals for our community, Jim states that, “A leader never stops dreaming. Leaders reflect the continuing need to help teens grow in their involvement in the Teen Council and the Youth Forum.” He desires to see ACT become more viable in this area and active in the community in a number of other areas. Jim emphasizes, “Our work is never done; ACT must continue to lead the way in a wonderful community. We must grow our culture expectations of a caring, responsive, and proactive community so that future leaders will become assimilated into the established culture of the community.” Jim retired from the Abington YMCA in June 2005 after 25 years as its Executive Director. One of his most significant accomplishments was traveling to Russia 12 times to help establish YMCAs there. Since 1991, more than 30 YMCAs have been started in that country. Jim is married to Kay. He has four children: Kelley, Tara, Ryan, and Andy. Their family life, featuring annual ski trips and summer beach trips, are part of Jim’s devotion to home and family. Jim also enjoys fishing, gardening, and carpentry. |
http://www.abingtonact.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=110%3Ajim-sheldon&catid=10&Itemid=90
Thursday, June 2, 2011
be a YMCA hero
Jimbo,
Everyone at some point in their live identifies a hero, or someone they want to be like. We often will mimick their idiosyncracies and even take on their disposition. Our working time together was too brief, but I nonetheless carry on many of your "idiosyncracies" today which have paid me good dividends in my "Y" career.
You may remember asking me if you thought we were too much alike as a management team, meaning did we really compliment each other as boss and subordinate. You see, Jim we were alike. You were/are my YMCA hero and I did emulate much of your leadership. (Better you than Curl)! Thank you for that. I also emulate your hairline, but that is a story for another day and one I had no control over. Thinking of you daily.
Anyway, God bless you James and all you stand for that is good in this world.
Jim Fell
Everyone at some point in their live identifies a hero, or someone they want to be like. We often will mimick their idiosyncracies and even take on their disposition. Our working time together was too brief, but I nonetheless carry on many of your "idiosyncracies" today which have paid me good dividends in my "Y" career.
You may remember asking me if you thought we were too much alike as a management team, meaning did we really compliment each other as boss and subordinate. You see, Jim we were alike. You were/are my YMCA hero and I did emulate much of your leadership. (Better you than Curl)! Thank you for that. I also emulate your hairline, but that is a story for another day and one I had no control over. Thinking of you daily.
Anyway, God bless you James and all you stand for that is good in this world.
Jim Fell
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