Obituary for James "Jimmy" A. Dooley
James A. “Jimmy” Dooley, 22, died on August 4, 2018, after a brief but heroic battle with a neurological illness.
Born in Chicago, Jimmy and his family moved to River Forest in 2001, living in the Dooley home that has been in the family since 1909. Jimmy attended St. Luke Parish School, as had his father and uncles, and his sister Claire. Jimmy was a proud Bearcat—participating in school sports and choirs—until his graduation in 2010. He traded his Bearcat blue & gold for OPRF blue & orange, representing the Huskies in team volleyball and basketball. After graduation from OPRF in 2014, he headed to Roosevelt University in Chicago to pursue a degree in Media Studies, and was one semester away from graduating when he died.
Jimmy was passionate about many things, most notably music and performing. He had blossomed into an excellent and artistic guitarist, always exploring. His voice was pure and charismatic. He composed many beautiful songs which he performed solo and with his groups, Blue Lagoon and Yard Sale. He was also a four-year member of the Dooleys (the Dooley Brothers), a band comprised of his father Jim, Uncle Mike and cousin Mick, performing at many venues in the Chicagoland area. He was noted for his quick wit and spontaneous banter that he swapped onstage with his father.
He was an enthusiastic basketball and volleyball coach at St. Luke School, and had a special connection with the students and parents. His large presence at home games will be missed.
Jimmy was a long-time court crew worker at the River Forest Tennis Club, and appreciated the people he met there. He also co-hosted the Roosevelt University radio show “RU Positive” covering current events, student interests and musical cuts.
Jimmy’s smile was infectious, and his laugh was contagious. His kind and generous spirit was felt by all who met him. As someone noted, “Everyone’s got their Jimmy story.” He could get a laugh out of a brick wall. Jimmy’s graceful yet lanky walk was reminiscent of him setting off on some great adventure. He was an inspiration to everyone he met.
Jimmy is survived by his father Jim and mother Anna Pries Dooley, his beloved younger sister Claire (“two peas in a pod”), grandmother Winnie Una Pries, uncles Tom (Nancy), Dennis (Kirste), Bill (Judy) and Mike (Trish) Dooley, cousin Maureen Dooley, also of River Forest, and many other beloved cousins on both sides of his family, including the daughters of his late uncle Joe (Kate) Dooley.
Visitation hours will be on Thursday, August 9, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Luke Church, 7600 Lake Street, River Forest, with a funeral Mass at St. Luke at 10 a.m. on Friday. Members of the community have generously set up a GoFundMe page to help with Jimmy’s medical and funeral expenses, and the family is deeply grateful. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Go Fund Me for the Dooley Family are appreciated, https://www.gofundme.com/support-the-dooley-family
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Previous Events
Visitation
Thursday
9
Aug
3:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
St. Luke Church
7600 Lake St.
River Forest, IL 60305
Funeral Mass
Friday
10
Aug
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Luke Church
7600 Lake St.
River Forest, IL 60305
Memorial Contribution
Go Fund Me Jimmy Dooley
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