​James Kaplan

James Kaplan

We mourn the death and celebrate the life of James (“Jim,” “Jimmy,” “GJ”) Kaplan. He leaves, in this world, the love of his life, Nancy; his children, Alyson (Aaron) Kaplan Lippman and Ben (Alex) Kaplan; his grandchildren, Elliot, Sam, Leo, Cade, Cole, and one yet to be born; his lifelong sidekick and older brother, Richard (Kathy) Kaplan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jimmy was born on August 22, 1950 in Chicago. He and his brother, Richard, had a lot of adventures around the city. At the age of 15, Jimmy was a bassist in a garage band called The Foggy Notions. He was a Wisconsin Badger and went on to own a commercial real estate company. In 1984, he reconnected with Nancy Bronstein and the laughter and love was immediate. Married in 1985, the two of them, with their daughter Alyson, moved to Glencoe. When Ben was born the family was complete. Jimmy was a fun and loving husband and father, supporting everything his kids were into, never missing a basketball game or track meet.

Jimmy loved to sit in as bassist at blues jams, listen to Cubs games, and watch the Bulls, either on TV or, for many years, in his seats in Section 110. He was a master chef who loved to grill and smoke some “babbique,” whip up a chicken Caprese salad, and make his own pickles. He had a mental rolodex of songs that would rival Spotify and an endless bank of trivia and fun facts. He was sarcastic, hilarious and optimistic to the very end. Jimmy was as passionate and loving as anyone could be. He ran marathons and biked centuries, traveled, enjoyed time with his friends and, most important to him, spent time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

Private graveside service followed by a memorial service and Celebration of Life Tuesday, December 6 at 3:30pm at Am Shalom, 840 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, IL 60022

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Am Shalom, www.amshalom.com, American Cancer Society, P.O Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html, Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute, 420 E. Superior St., Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611, www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/brain-tumor, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741, www.michaeljfox.org. To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.