James Bernard Cech
Surrounded by his loving family, James Bernard Cech died of
natural causes, in his sleep, on January 26, 2011. He was born in
Spooner, Wisconsin, in 1927, the youngest son of Edward Martin and
Elizabeth Wettl Cech. He graduation from the University of
Wisconsin, Madison, and enlisted in the U.S. Army in active service
during World War II. After his discharge from the Army, he and his
parents moved to Livingston, Montana, where he began working at a
branch of Hennessey’s Department Store. It was there that he met
Theresa (Teri) Polillo, his wife of 57 years. They married in
Livingston in 1953, and it was there that their three children,
Michael James, Jeffrey Lee, and John Edward were born. James was
transferred by Hennessey’s to Helena and then to Butte, taking
increasingly responsible administrative positions. He greatly
enjoyed his time in Butte, where he and Theresa made many lifelong
friends, sang in the choir of St. Ann’s church, and where he gained
a reputation for fearlessness by walking the weekly Hennessey’s
deposits to the bank through downtown Butte in a paper bag.
When Butte fell on hard economic times in the late 70’s, Hennessey’s
transferred Jim to Billings to serve as the regional CFO for
Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota. He retired from Hennessey’s in
1993, after a career of 43 years with the company, and enjoyed
several trips to Hawaii and Las Vegas with Theresa and Theresa’s
sister and her husband, Marietta and Louis Ricci.
James loved camping, sailing, and boating in a variety of craft,
some safer than others. During his time in Helena, a friend
suggested that James take his family camping at Seeley Lake. This
recommendation began an unbroken tradition of summer camping trips
which has lasted over 45 years. Some of James’ fondest memories were
of boating on the lake and sitting around the campfire with friends
and family, making s’mores in the evenings and endless stacks of
huckleberry pancakes in the mornings. In recent years, when ill
health prevented James from making the trip to Seeley, the next
generation of the Cech family and friends would call from the
campfire each summer to ensure that he and Theresa remained part of
the Seeley crew.
James was preceded in death by his parents, and by his siblings
Robert, Richard, and Maxine. He is survived by his wife, Theresa;
his sons Michael (Meg), Jeffrey (Karen), and John (Victoria); his
six grandchildren, Erin Ann, Ryan (Rye), Molly Kaitlin, Eric
Gregory, Amanda Elizabeth, and Isaiah Shelburne-Polillo; numerous
nephews and nieces; and James and Theresa’s “honorary children” Bill
and Carla Quinn.
James’ family would like to thank the staff at Aspen Meadows for
their care and support during James’ final illness, and extend
sincere appreciation to Fr. Steve Zabrocki and Fr. John Houlihan for
their ministry to James and his family.
The vigil will be held at Michelotti-Sawyers Funeral Chapel at 7:00
Sunday evening the 30th of January. Funeral services for James will
be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Monday January 31st, at
10:00 a.m. A lunch will follow the Mass. Interment will take place
in Livingston later in the day.
“Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth
without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother.” – St. Clare of Assisi
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials for James be sent to St. Thomas the Apostle Cathlolic Church, 2055 Woody Dr., Billings 59102; the Billings Catholic Schools, P.O. Box 31158, Billings 59107-1158; St. Vincent de Paul, 2610 Montana Ave., Billings 59101, or the charity of your choice.
Remembrances
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