In Loving Memory of James Andrew Aitcheson

Jim Aitcheson, a loving husband and father of two, a caring brother and brother-in-law, a beloved cousin, and a favorite uncle died on November 30, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born October 27, 1961, Jim leaves a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Jim was born and raised in Yonkers, New York, the second of four boys, and graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School in 1979. He attended Villanova University, graduating in 1983 with bachelor’s degrees in finance and financial management systems.

During his college years, Jim played sports, joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, worked as a lifeguard at the Playland Amusement Park beach in Rye, NY, and made deep, lifelong friendships. His easy-going and kind-hearted nature allowed him to make friends readily and create a successful, decades-long career in finance.

Jim’s career began at the Bank of New York as a Relationship Manager, where he helped clients realize their financial goals. In New York City, Jim met his future wife, Barbara. Friends and relatives say Jim knew he wanted to marry Barbara shortly after meeting her, a notion that was further confirmed when he, not fond of felines up to this point, readily volunteered to care for her three cats! Just a year after meeting, Jim and Barbara decided to relocate to Chicago, where they married in 1995. Their marriage was a true partnership and a testament to Jim’s love and deep commitment to those he cared about.

It was in Chicago that Jim began his 26-year career with The Northern Trust, where he rose within the relationship management ranks to Senior Vice President before retiring in 2020 to enjoy life in Santa Barbara, California. Throughout his career, Jim always made time for his clients and colleagues, many of whom also became good friends.

Jim was a true family man, and his favorite way to spend his time was with his family and their pets: two golden retrievers and a reluctantly domesticated black cat. Jim was a hands-on dad; engaged in all aspects of his sons’ lives, including school activities, extracurriculars, sports, and more recently, career conversations. He was always there with supportive words and wise guidance for his boys, Kyle, 23, and Evan, 20.

Traveling was one of Jim’s favorite things to do with his family. Over the years, he, Barbara, and the boys went on many adventures worldwide, highlighted by bungee jumping in New Zealand, snorkeling in Mexico, riding helicopters and parasailing in the Hawaiian Islands, hiking and biking through Europe and cruising the Norwegian fjords. He even tolerated downhill skiing and paintball sessions to spend time with his family.

After moving to Santa Barbara ten years ago, Jim found a new passion for hiking in the California mountains, where he relished the challenge of ascending strenuous, steep hikes. For his 60th birthday, he hiked and camped under the stars in the Grand Canyon with colleagues and former clients. Jim also loved playing golf, which he did three times a week, developing new friendships in retirement. Always interested in sports, Jim continued to follow his favorite college and professional teams and had spirited text threads with friends and family across the country, discussing his teams’ successes and failures.

One of Jim’s most defining features was that he was a person you could always depend on, a true friend. Like an oak tree, Jim was a person you could lean on. He showed up when you needed him, often even before you realized you needed support; his trademark smile and warm personality instantly putting you at ease. In the short time since Jim passed, so many friends have reached out to share their favorite Jim memories, from high school antics to college hijinks to stories of what a consistently positive, kind and fun leader Jim was with colleagues and clients alike; all of which are a testament to how well Jim lived his life and how much he was loved.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Patricia Aitcheson, his brother Charlie, his mother-in-law, Nancy Hage, and his father-in-law, Mike Hage. He is survived by his wife, Barbara (nee Hage), sons Kyle and Evan, brothers John (Kim) and Patrick (Carlos), brother-in-law, John and his wife (Kelly), brother-in-law, Michael and his wife (Eileen), and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Family and friends will miss Jim deeply. In the coming months, a memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, where a tribute page has been created in Jim’s honor. Please donate through the link below or mention Jim’s name in your donation directly to the American Cancer Society.

May Jim rest in God’s grace, leaving behind a lifetime of beautiful memories in our hearts.

Jim’s Tribute page at American Cancer Society: https://raiseyourway.donordri…

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/james-aitcheson/obituary/

Copy