We are saddened to say that our father, James P. Caile, 79, of Huntley, died peacefully, December 26, 2021, with his family by his side. Known to everyone as Jim, we will miss him greatly.
Our dad was a dear husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. Born October 19, 1942, the son of George and Lucille Caile, our dad grew up a Chicago-area kid. He attended St. Lamberts Grammar School, St. George High School, then went on to Loyola and earned his BA and later earned his master’s in business from the University of Chicago. He met our mother, Joyce Conry, while in college and managed to keep her around even after taking her bow fishing for carp on their first date.
On August 6, 1966, they married and started their lives in Hawthorn Woods before moving to Elk Grove. Our parents created a big, happy family of 5 kids - Christopher, Leslie, Brendan, Kelly, and Jay. Dad taught us kindness, caring for others, as well as practical matters of household repairs. He always spoke of the importance of a good hammer. He also made sure the five of us had good financial sense and encouraged “saving 10%”. Growing up our house was always coming and going with neighborhood kids who remarked how kind and welcoming our dad made them feel.
As we found our partners and our family grew, so did our dad’s love and kindness. He made Sue, Matt, Amity, Chris, and Tarin feel part of the family. Dad was also “Papa” to eleven grandchildren who were fortunate to go with him on walks, fishing trips, or on a hunt for one of his favorite treats - ice cream.
Dad loved doing good work and taught us the same. Only our best effort. His inspection of the bathrooms after our Saturday morning cleaning, featuring a removal of the toilet seat, would bring a smile to any army sergeant. Dad’s work ethic and attention to detail lead him to a leadership role in the emerging cellular phone industry. Dad was a Corporate Vice President of marketing at Motorola and worked there for 25 years until his retirement in 2001. During this time, he and his team were instrumental in developing the cellular industry we know today. If you are reading this on your phone, our father helped make that possible.
When he wasn’t changing the communications world, Dad enjoyed fishing, trap shooting, collecting coins and being artistic. He had a knack for drawing humorous stick figure pictures, cards, and posters for his children, grandchildren, friends, and fellow Motorolans to celebrate their birthdays and special occasions. Many of his friends still have their special memento from Jim.
In their later years, our dad and mom enjoyed traveling as well as spending time in St. Pete Beach, Florida plus at their home in Breckenridge – a log cabin which Dad designed and built.
Despite battling Parkinson’s for the last 20 years of his life, Dad kept fishing, playing dominoes, and was always upbeat and kept his kind heart. In addition to his family above, our dad is survived by his siblings, Jerry Caile, John (Sherry) Caile and Jane (Jim) Lindstrom. He was preceded in death by his parents. A memorial gathering will take place at a future date. If you care to donate in our dad’s honor, memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com.
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So sorry to hear the news about my cousin Jim. I was working an Apple when they released the iPhone for; Jim I had some fascinating dinners when he would come out the San Francisco Bay area for business. We tried to stay in touch but I’m sure it was difficult for him to type emails last few years. Sending his family all our love and blessings.
Jim hosted Marilyn and me when we last visited Chicago 25 years ago and visited with uncle Joe along with cousins Pat and Laura five years ago. Our Bible Study has been praying for him for two years. We sat together on our first day of Kindergarten at Our Lady of Mt.Carmel School in Chicago in September 1947. He will be missed.
Jerry, John and Jane so sorry to hear about Jim. I saw Jim at my brother Bill's service in Sequim Washington. Cousin David Gleason was there and we had a nice McGarry remembrance. I had not seen Jim since Aunt Eleanor and I had moved from Morton Grove. So Sorry for the Caile family loss Cousin Dick
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I have many fond memories as well as pictures of the Caile-Gleason summers at the lake. I know his memory will be a blessing to you all.
Dear Caile Family, I offer my deepest sympathies to all of you. "Mr. Caile" was a great guy and cool neighborhood dad. I'll share a few stand out memories... In the early '80s, Mr. Caile had one of the very first mobile phones; the DynaTAC, I believe, and he was kind enough to let us try it out. To this day I'm amazed that he would hand something so valuable to 10-12 year olds to play with. I remember walking up to the Snell's house, simultaneously ringing the doorbell and calling their home phone, in a failed attempt to blow their minds. Around the same era, Chris and Brendan had a telescope. We were able to sort of get the moon in focus, but would mainly goof around by riding our bikes to the end of the street while someone else would watch in the telescope. That got old quick, so just as we had lost interest, Mr. Caile came out and started aligning the telescope to the sky. He waved me over to take a look, and I couldn't believe what I saw when I peeked into the viewfinder: Jupiter, and two of it's moons. It was amazing. And within about 5 seconds it had moved out of the field of view. I later realized that because of the planetary motion, he had to set it up just right, ahead of the moving path of the planet in order to have me see it. I've tried to find planets in a telescope ever since, and have never been able to get such a clear and perfect view like he did on that night. I could go on, but I'll only share one more. A few times, when Mr. Caile found a musical instrument at a garage sale, he would buy it and give it to me. One was a wooden lap/slide guitar I loved to play (it was so cool, someone stole it from me in the '90s). Another was a banjo, which is hanging on my basement wall today (still haven't figured out how to play anything on it except the first couple bars of "Dueling Banjos"). My thoughts and love are with you guys. What an amazing legacy Jim has left behind.
So very sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Jim was hands down the most genuinely kind person I have ever known. He took me under his wing and championed my efforts as a brand-new Motorolan. Stuck his neck out for me and boosted the confidence of a kid who was way over his head at the time. Always made himself available, shared his insights and championed my successes but was also there for my missteps. He even fought senior management to give me an office when I wasn't supposed to have one because as he put it, "This kid does important work!' I truly hope the family knows what a special person Jim was and he will be greatly, greatly missed by all that knew him.
Jim Caile was one of the finest, kindest persons I was fortunate to know at Motorola. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
It's been extremely difficult for me to deal with my brothers death. He was my rock. He was always there to listen if I had a problem or help me with Stocks & Bonds. He was my lifeline with those. I loved him so much and always will. He will always be in my heart. After all his suffering I'm thanking the Lord that he took his pain away. He is in total peace now with the Lord. I love you Jimmy and will miss you forever.
Jim was by far the best boss I’ve had throughout my entire career! I was responsible for trade show management at the time and Jim would be one of the first ones to arrive to help set up our booth. No task was too small and he kindly offered to help with his amazing smile, staying late into the evening to support the team. He also gave me amazing career advice which I remember and put in practice to this day, including advocating to get me a two grade level promotion so I was on par with my peers (without me having to ask). Jim was so compassionate during my struggle to start a family, insisting I take a couple weeks off to de-stress during some medical procedures. Jim made everyone who was lucky enough to surround him a better person. I will always remember him fondly and strive to live up to the high expectations and standards he knew I could reach. Condolences to his family and everyone who loved Jim!
Jim was by far the best boss I’ve had throughout my entire career! I was responsible for trade show management at the time and Jim would be one of the first ones to arrive to help set up our booth. No task was too small and he kindly offered to help with his amazing smile, staying late into the evening to support the team. He also gave me amazing career advice which I remember and put in practice to this day, including advocating to get me a two grade level promotion so I was on par with my peers (without me having to ask). Jim was so compassionate during my struggle to start a family, insisting I take a couple weeks off to de-stress during some medical procedures. Jim made everyone who was lucky enough to surround him a better person. I will always remember him fondly and strive to live up to the high expectations and standards he knew I could reach. Condolences to his family and everyone who loved Jim!