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James S. Jorritsma, 73, of Whitinsville passed away Fri. Sept. 8, 2017 in the UMass Medical Ctr., Worcester.
A lifelong resident of Whitinsville, he was a certified public accountant, working 30+ years for the U.S. General Accounting Office in Boston. He also owned and operated his own tax service in Whitinsville for many years.
Jim was born in South Boston in 1944, the son of the late Berton and Alice (Visser) Jorritsma. He attended Whitinsville Christian School and was a graduate of Northbridge High School and UMass - Amherst.
He loved to read, with a keen interest in history, was an avid follower of the Boston sports team, and cherished spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of Pleasant Street Christian Reformed Church.
Mr. Jorritsma is survived by his daughters Kimberly A. Hurley of Wrentham and Deborah L. Herrick-Breault and her husband John Breault of Whitinsville; a sister Rhonda G. and her husband Jim Stolle of Douglas, five grandchildren Shane, Elizabeth, Olivia, Victoria, and Emily, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his siblings William Jorritsma, Janet VanderBrug, and Donald Jorritsma.
Visiting hours will be Thursday Sept. 14, 2017 from 10 - 11:30 AM in the Pleasant Street Christian Reformed Church, 25 Cross St., Whitinsville. Funeral services will follow at 12 Noon in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to Whitinsville Christian School or the MS society, as Jim proudly supported both organizations.
Arrangements are under the direction of the BUMA FUNERAL HOME, Whitinsville.
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George Waters
So sorry to hear about Jim passing. He was truly a gentle giant and fun to be around. We spent many afternoons in his father Burts' cobbler shop after school sitting in the shoe shine chairs watching the traffic on the square. Eventually his dad would tell us to pay for a shine or get out. We would also visit his dad on his night job as guard of the Spinning Ring Co and go on rounds together. What a creepy place that was! I was looking forward to seeing him at the reunion and will miss him.
John Sauve
I didn’t know Jim that well in high school. But UMASS was a different story. We spent hours and hours shooting pool together at the Student Union … closed the place often … and then more than a few late night at local bar called The Drake (?) … beer (lots of beer) and 7&7s, the Beatles, the war, and free peanuts … shells thrown all over the floor. Jim was a proud owner of an Olds 442 back then. I remember my first ride in it (yup, I do) … gave me a ride up behind the UMASS campus “to show me what it could do.” Fastest I had ever been in a car … scared shit. Guess Jim had a wild side … not what accountants are known for. :)
Talked “old UMASS pool hall times” with Jim at the 50th. Hope he has his cue with him. Good memories.
William Kidd
Jim was truly a gentle giant. I remember him from the Plumers Corner Gang, the Cobbler Shop and hanging at the Big Bite in Linwood. We "hung" together a lot, but he was always the calm and logical one. He will be missed.
Richard Hathaway
I knew Jim quite well in school. He was a always a good friend & classmate.
To his family & friends, you have my deepest sympathy: Richard Hathaway