Jimmy is a very quiet, caring man, and over the years he has been a great friend to his buddies from the old neighborhood and to his hiking, skiing and marathon-running colleagues. At the party, his older sister Mary introduced him this way: "If you were searching for a loquacious man or an ostentatious one or even a pugnacious fellow, you would never select Jimmy. But if you now wish to honor a stouthearted man, who is also a truehearted and tenderhearted friend, raise your glass to Sir James." Well put, Mary, a standing ovation.

Now it was time for the birthday boy's speech. "I want to thank all of you for being here and particularly thank my sister Mary for arranging this party. No surprise, really, since she was responsible for my first birthday party. It was 1933 and everybody was out of work, really no time for celebrating. But as my mother would later tell me, Mary insisted that her little brother have a party. And I still have the picture of me sitting in the high chair at that birthday party 69 years ago-thanks, Mary." With that, he hugged his sister and sat down.

The quiet man had touched our hearts once again. There was lots of hugging that day as old friends shared stories about Jimmy and our days in the old neighborhood; there was talk of family, children and grandchildren, and growing old together. Jimmy, we're glad we knew ye. What a wonderful day it was.

When Frank isn't reliving the joys of growing up in his old South side of Chicago neighborhood, he can be reached at fburge@cmp.com.