Obituary of James Reinold

James H. Reinold, owner of Jim’s Canteen, passed away at the Winchester Hospital on April 21, 2010. The husband of Marie (Elligson) he was 78 years old. Jim was born, raised and educated in Medford. He went on to further his education graduating from Northeastern University. Jim was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving his country in the United States Navy. Jim worked together with his brother for many years running a canteen truck. He then went on to run his own business “Jim’s Canteen” for over 25 years. He had just retired in August of 2009. Jim’s business was his life. He worked 7 days a week rising each morning at 4 a.m. and not returning home until 6 p.m. where his day didn’t end. He then had to clean his truck and restock for the next day sometimes not retiring until mid-night. He worked weekends and holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving. He took pride in his job. His routes included Olympia & Wildwood Streets in Woburn, Camp Curtis in Reading as well as Sandy Beach in Winchester. Jim made many longtime friendships during his fifty years in the business. He was generous to his customers and never raised his prices. He had an outgoing and friendly personality. Jim and his wife Marie would have celebrated their 52th Anniversary in June. Jim is the beloved husband of Marie (Elligson). He is the loving father of James H. Reinold, Jr. & his wife Angela of Billerica, Julianne Potenza & her husband Mark of Salem, NH, Thomas Reinold & his wife Beth of Sutton, and Kelly Ann Leanza & her husband Salvatore of Sudbury. Brother of Charles Reinold of Medford, Kay Cupples of Brockton, Donald Reinold of Medford and the Late Jean Reignierd, Julia, John & Arthur Reinold. Grandfather of Sean, Patrick, Haley, Trevor, Brittanie, Cody & Olivia Reinold, Anthony & Amanda Potenza, Nicholas, Gianna & Sara Leanza. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Monday, April 26 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Sunday 3-7 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery. Memorials in Jim’s name may be made to the St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington, MA 01803 & American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. Family Remembrance by Jim Good Morning everyone. Thank you all for being here today, my name is Jim Reinold. I’d like to start off by first thanking my cousin Steve from CA who could not be here but helped to compose this speech. We are gathered here today in love, to pay witness and celebrate the life of James H. Reinold Sr. Husband to Marie, Father to Jim, Julie, Tommy and Kelly. Grandfather to Sean, Patrick, Haley, Trevor, Anthony, Amanda, Brittanie, Cody, Olivia, Nicholas, Gianna, and Sara. James is the 6th of 8 children to Julia, and Charles Reinold. Brother to Julia, Buddy, Kay, Jean, John, Don, and Arthur Reinold. James was preceded in death, by his Parents Julia and Charles, sisters Julia and Jean, and brothers Arthur and John Reinold. Anytime we lose a loved one in our lives, our daily routines become raw and immediate. Events that seemed important no longer are. …. A day’s plans, a week’s tasks, a month’s expectations….. Suddenly the daily simple demands of life …. All lose their meaning; a feeling of numbness gives way to the ache of emptiness and heart ache. Grief is paramount in our lives. If grief is to be resolved, it must be addressed through a process we have come to know as mourning, it helps to consider that our loved ones are happy, their questions are now answered, free of aches and hardships. Now at peace we know that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones. You may, or may not have really known our Dad, but he was very much like any other of the New England Reinold’s, and he rarely showed his feelings. As children we would see that “look” that told you, you did something great or stepped over the line. With that same look, you could see how proud he was or if there was a hint of disappointment. Whatever the respective ages are in this room today, we all grow old together. Life itself is a beautiful thing and we should all strive to be happy. As we live and breathe we are influenced by the lives of others around us, be it a parent, a favorite teacher, a mentor, a childhood friend, we are all composites of these influences. Amongst these influences; our families, no doubt play a major role in shaping who we are, leading by example. Our father was a hard working man who always got his way, not even a bolt of lightening could stop him. One summer day at Sandy beach in Winchester, while working His Canteen truck and an Ice Cream truck, a storm came upon those working with our father that day. A bolt of lightening struck a tree overhead, exited a branch and hit our father in the head, which of course he survived. His hard head just told him to keep working and nothing seemed to faze him through life! The only time our dad wasn't working was when he was seriously ill or had some debilitating injury. . . I think he considered this his vacation time. His words were law in our family, unless our Mother had something to say about it. From my earliest memories he was teaching his children one of the most valuable lessons of life. “Stand up for what you believe in!” Don’t let anybody tell you otherwise, and don’t settle for less”. Our mother knew that she was his wife but joked that THE truck was his mistress! He was a compassionate individual and what he held dearest and most important was his family. Every morning before dawn he would bring our mom a cup of tea before starting his day at 4:00 a.m. In the winter, he would also be in the back yard early so as to groom the ice rink, which he would build each year, for those of us in the family and neighborhood that chose to skate before school. Our father was a workaholic but found time when needed to fill the gaps. He even found time to be a Little League Baseball Coach to instruct not only his own children but others that he was fortunate to have under his tutelage. Baseball was a great time in our family’s history. Dad always had a solution to every problem, and a way of making life simple. He never asked anybody for help! Yet, he was very generous with those he took at face value, never requiring acknowledgement from anyone, he left deep impressions upon many if not all of us. In plain truth he was there for this family. Like any individual, he had his moments, yet throughout our lives, whether near or distant he was a gentle soul, a kind and an encouraging man. “Dad we hope your Journey has been a good one! You have arrived!” We know you will be looking down upon us all each and every day as we look towards you. You are greatly missed by us all.