James D. North

James (Jim) D. North, 91, of Rockford, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in the Alpine Fireside Health Center.

He was born December 1, 1932, in Freeport, IL, son of Earl and Florence (Polhill) North. He was a graduate of Rockford West High School and Rockford University. Jim married his loving wife, Kathleen (Doherty) on November 10, 1956, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was a longtime member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, proud United States Army Veteran, and worked for Sears for over 30 years where he sold everything for the home, inside and out, including the kitchen sink.

Most of all, Jim loved his family and would do anything for them. He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and never missed a special occasion in their lives. He enjoyed gardening and loved to share his fruits and vegetables with family and neighbors, working in the yard, watching sports, volunteering on the yard crew at St. Bernadette’s, and was a long-time member of the Doughboy Donut Shop group on N. Main Street. A highlight in 2018 was his VetsRoll trip to Washington D.C.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Alpine Fireside for their compassionate care and kindness. He was a “fan favorite” of the staff. He knew everyone by name and spoke with everyone like a friend.

Survivors include his children, LeAnn (Steve) Zarembski of Loves Park, David (Mary McQueary) North of Rockford, Pamela (Scott) Andrew of Wheaton and Jill North of Granite City, IL; grandchildren Ryan (Katie) Zarembski, Valerie (Scott) Mutton, Matthew (Whitney Reed) Zarembski, Harrison and Isabella (Anthony Widel) North, Spencer and Rachel Andrew and Victoria James; great-grandchildren, Natalie, Abby and Maggie Zarembski, Vivienne and Jake Mutton; sister-in-laws Gloria North, Marilyn Wolfe, all of Rockford, June Doherty of Lisle, and Betty Kopplin of Colorado; brother-in-law Michael (Margaret Knoup) Doherty of Rockford, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and special friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Kathy and siblings Earl North and Marianne Basile; sisters-in-law Marjorie Bengtson, Eleanor Johnson, Lois Doherty, Bette Doherty, Carol Doherty, and Charlene Doherty; brothers-in-law Phil Basile, Paul, Larry, Pat and Harry Doherty; Cliff Bengtson, Bill Dutmer, Ron Wolfe, Jerry Johnson, and J.O. Kopplin.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford, Il, 61103, with visitation from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Thursday at the church. Interment will be held in Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Winnebago, IL. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.