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James S. Fal
June 27, 1944 ~ September 7, 2016 (age 72) 72 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from Phill and Diane Fossum
September 22, 2016 3:54 PM
Dearest Mary Lou,
I just received word that you’ve lost Jim and it hit me hard. We get emails through our Class email chain of classmates that we’ve lost, but they always seem to be names I don’t have a close association with or know. You and Jim are of course on the totally other end of the spectrum and I feel a great loss. Even though Jim was in a different Company, many of us in 4th Company knew him well. I knew you both through squash and other activities long before we graduated. You were such a perfect couple, the big question was always “were you guys married before graduation”? On June 8th you took care of that rumor. Our time together in Pensacola and Corpus going through the rigors of Flight Training and being a members of the first Cooperative Aerospace Systems Master’s Degree class made our friendships even closer and more meaningful. Those were tough times, especially for you married couples, yet we all survived. It was always a highlight at our Reunions to see you both and we always wished we were closer so we could pursue our friendship on a more active basis. As a couple, you were always both so happy and positive, it was special to be around you. I’m sorry Jim didn’t make it to our next Reunion. I hope you will try to come because you are certainly a part of our Class and 5th Company. If you get a chance will you please send me your phone number so we can talk. (phillfossum@gmail.com).
We wish you strength in this time of loss and extend our deepest sympathies for yours and our loss.
Your special friends,
Phill and Diane Fossum
4th Company
I just received word that you’ve lost Jim and it hit me hard. We get emails through our Class email chain of classmates that we’ve lost, but they always seem to be names I don’t have a close association with or know. You and Jim are of course on the totally other end of the spectrum and I feel a great loss. Even though Jim was in a different Company, many of us in 4th Company knew him well. I knew you both through squash and other activities long before we graduated. You were such a perfect couple, the big question was always “were you guys married before graduation”? On June 8th you took care of that rumor. Our time together in Pensacola and Corpus going through the rigors of Flight Training and being a members of the first Cooperative Aerospace Systems Master’s Degree class made our friendships even closer and more meaningful. Those were tough times, especially for you married couples, yet we all survived. It was always a highlight at our Reunions to see you both and we always wished we were closer so we could pursue our friendship on a more active basis. As a couple, you were always both so happy and positive, it was special to be around you. I’m sorry Jim didn’t make it to our next Reunion. I hope you will try to come because you are certainly a part of our Class and 5th Company. If you get a chance will you please send me your phone number so we can talk. (phillfossum@gmail.com).
We wish you strength in this time of loss and extend our deepest sympathies for yours and our loss.
Your special friends,
Phill and Diane Fossum
4th Company
Message from Gordon Sandison
September 13, 2016 10:04 PM
I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. I have not seen Jim since the Naval Academy, but I still recall distinctly during plebe summer how Jim was the "old salt," and almost a father-figure to those of us with no experience who were finding USNA to be a very perplexing place. Please accept my condolences.
Message from Scott McDaniel
September 12, 2016 1:18 PM
Sorry for your loss. Jim was always ready to help any classmate learn the details of military procedures while we were together in the same company at the Academy. Although we went separate ways after graduation, I will always have fond memories of Jim.
Message from Roger Watson
September 12, 2016 12:07 PM
Mary Lou
The realization of Jim's death is slowly sinking in, yet it will be awhile before the finality of it is fully grasped. Jim, as a military officer, understood death and throughout this ordeal, he faced it with strength, courage, and an unrelenting determination to do what he could to defeat the cancer. But in the end he was able to face death with peace.
I will not forget my last conversation with Jim. He was not down but rather he lifted my spirits just by his attitude. I have a sense that would describe Jim's life.
Mary Lou, I expect I am not telling you anything you do not already know but Jim's love for you was always close to the surface even if we were talking politics as we often did. His appreciation for what you were going through during his illness just underscores his respect and love for you. Never doubt for a minute you were the most special person in his life.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting your children or grandchildren but
they were a major part of his life. I am saddened by knowing that Jim is going to miss some major moments in their lives but I hope each and everyone of them know that Jim would have done anything and everything he could do to be there for them. I pray that they never, ever, forget that.
Mary Lou, I am not sure that you are aware that I was in the Marine Corps. With Jim being in the Navy there was some pretty standard remarks made about each other's choice of service. Yet at the end of almost every conversation we had we say Semper Fi, always faithful, and for me that sums up who Jim was - he was always faithful. He will be missed but not forgotten - perhaps he'll be there to greet me at heaven's door. I would like that very much.
The realization of Jim's death is slowly sinking in, yet it will be awhile before the finality of it is fully grasped. Jim, as a military officer, understood death and throughout this ordeal, he faced it with strength, courage, and an unrelenting determination to do what he could to defeat the cancer. But in the end he was able to face death with peace.
I will not forget my last conversation with Jim. He was not down but rather he lifted my spirits just by his attitude. I have a sense that would describe Jim's life.
Mary Lou, I expect I am not telling you anything you do not already know but Jim's love for you was always close to the surface even if we were talking politics as we often did. His appreciation for what you were going through during his illness just underscores his respect and love for you. Never doubt for a minute you were the most special person in his life.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting your children or grandchildren but
they were a major part of his life. I am saddened by knowing that Jim is going to miss some major moments in their lives but I hope each and everyone of them know that Jim would have done anything and everything he could do to be there for them. I pray that they never, ever, forget that.
Mary Lou, I am not sure that you are aware that I was in the Marine Corps. With Jim being in the Navy there was some pretty standard remarks made about each other's choice of service. Yet at the end of almost every conversation we had we say Semper Fi, always faithful, and for me that sums up who Jim was - he was always faithful. He will be missed but not forgotten - perhaps he'll be there to greet me at heaven's door. I would like that very much.
Message from Cdr Robert J. Hollerbach USN (ret)
September 11, 2016 9:57 PM
Mary,
Karen and I want to express our deepest sympathy. Jim was not only a great classmate he was a good man.
Sincerely,
Bob / USNA '68
Karen and I want to express our deepest sympathy. Jim was not only a great classmate he was a good man.
Sincerely,
Bob / USNA '68
Message from George Lammay
September 10, 2016 6:53 AM
I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. He was good friend and supporter. His humor was always a joy. My deepest sympathies to all of Jim's family. My prayers are with you.
Message from Fred Muniz
September 9, 2016 4:25 PM
Mary Lou,
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I fondly remember the rides home from the Academy during the holidays. Jim's smiling face and sense of humor will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Fred Muniz '68
Classmate and Friend
I am so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I fondly remember the rides home from the Academy during the holidays. Jim's smiling face and sense of humor will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Fred Muniz '68
Classmate and Friend
Message from Dottie Cannon Katauskas
September 9, 2016 3:07 PM
Dear Mary Lou, Sharon, Alicia and Jay,
My heart goes goes out to all in the Fal family. Such wonderful and fun times we shared over the years, beginning in Pensacola. Jim was such a good friend. I always respected his love and allegiance to his family. They always came first! His memory lives on in those who loved and treasured his steadfastness.
My heart goes goes out to all in the Fal family. Such wonderful and fun times we shared over the years, beginning in Pensacola. Jim was such a good friend. I always respected his love and allegiance to his family. They always came first! His memory lives on in those who loved and treasured his steadfastness.
Message from Julie (Katauskas) Mandell
September 9, 2016 11:47 AM
Dear Mary Lou, Sharon, Alicia, Jay and family - I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will always remember all of the good times we had together and Jim's booming personality and good-natured ways. Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Message from Federico Derby Jr 3rd Company '68
September 9, 2016 12:46 AM
James, you have a beautiful family and made a great life. I know you are in the Lord's hand's, nothing better than that. We pray for those love ones who miss you and we will soon catch up to you.
Rest in peace,
Fred
Rest in peace,
Fred
Message from Peggy (Hayes) Buelow
September 9, 2016 12:12 AM
Dear Mary Lou and family,
I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim's illness and your recent loss. Am holding you in prayer for peace and healing for your hearts.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim's illness and your recent loss. Am holding you in prayer for peace and healing for your hearts.
Message from Ben and Kay Fromme
September 8, 2016 10:18 PM
Kay and I were so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Mary Lou and the Fal family are in our thoughts.
Sweet rest classmate.
Sweet rest classmate.
Message from Rich and Jill Clover
September 8, 2016 7:08 PM
We're very sorry to hear of Jim's passing and we send our deepest sympathy.
It was an honor to be in Jim's class and company at the Naval Academy.
Rich, USNA 1968
It was an honor to be in Jim's class and company at the Naval Academy.
Rich, USNA 1968
Message from Mike kalashian NAPS 1964 & USNA 1968
September 8, 2016 4:59 PM
My sincere condolences to Jim's extended family. He will be remembered.
RIP Shipmate!
RIP Shipmate!
Message from James R. Frezzell
September 8, 2016 4:43 PM
My condolences to the Fal Family. I am originally from Monessen, Pa. and met James while we were at NAPS. We stayed in touch, intermittently, after I left the Academy in 1965. We always had a good conversation reflecting on Western Pa. Football. He was a good Man.
Message from Tom Pestorius USNA '68 Classmate
September 8, 2016 4:18 PM
Deepest sympathy to the family and Jim's loved ones. It's been a long time since we spoke but I'll always remember his smiling face and special humor during our days at the Naval Academy. Fair winds and following seas shipmate - you'll be missed.
Message from Kathy Spataro
September 8, 2016 3:54 PM
Mary Lou and family, so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Message from Linda Faust
September 8, 2016 3:52 PM
Sharon, Sammy and family; so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. The loss of a parent is difficult, but you have your memories. Sympathy. Linda Collis Faust
Message from Bob & Jovan Chester
September 8, 2016 3:32 PM
We are so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I still remember all the good times we had as Midshipmen and at our various reunions. Our thoughts are with you.
Bob & Jovan
Bob & Jovan
Message from Gloria Angotti-Fryer
September 8, 2016 1:10 PM
Mary Lou, Sharon, Alicia, Jay and family - Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Message from Pamela Bishop
September 8, 2016 12:41 PM
Sharon and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
A candle was lit by Heather Hileman
on September 8, 2016 7:13 AM
Message from Becky Golden
September 7, 2016 7:08 PM
Dear Mary and family, sorry for your loss, such sad news. You are all in my thoughts. Take care.
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