9/13/1958 to 6/20/2023

Jim passed away suddenly on the morning of June 20, taking a beloved family member, friend, and community pillar far too soon. Jim enjoyed making people laugh, pushing some buttons, and helping people without all the fanfare. In short, a person you wanted on your side.

Jim was born on September 13, 1958 to Robert and Jo Ann, as the oldest of 4 sons in Vancouver, WA. He grew up in the Fruit Valley area and graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School. After a few years of trying different employment opportunities, including baseball umpiring school, Jim landed on Orcas Island. He worked in the mason industry, propane industry, until in April 2007, he purchased The Lower Tavern. For the next 16 years he worked to make the tavern a place the Orcas community would be proud of.

Jim enjoyed his family, friends, traveling, and sports. One sport that stood out was baseball. He was a lifelong Red Sox fan and his best friend was a Yankees fan, a match made in heaven. Jim proposed to his wife, Teri, at a Red Sox game in Seattle with friends and family in attendance. Jim’s love of baseball did not end with cheering, he had 2 stints as baseball coach of the Orcas Island boys baseball team as well as coaching the girls’ softball team.

Jim is survived by his wife, Teri Nigretto, daughter Devon Holbrook (Blaine), stepsons Andy Nigretto (Michelle) and Jack Gates (Soeth), Mother JoAnn Strickland, brothers Robert (Noni), Roger (De), and Michael, nieces Rachel, Ashley Delyea (Ben), nephews Scott (Brittany) and Alex Cruse, best friend Rob Skaaden (Theresa) and his pride and joy grandchildren, Brody and Harper.

Jim will be missed every day, but the memories of the great times still exist. As long as those memories are shared, Jim’s legacy will burn bright as the sun.

A celebration of life will be held on Aug. 12 at the American Legion starting at 1 p.m.