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Babione - Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center

1100 North Federal Highway

Boca Raton, Florida

James & Marie Jennings Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 7, 2016.

A Journey through James J. Jennings' Accomplished Life

James Joseph Jennings, 87, passed away on July 6, 2016 in Boca Raton, FL, just three days shy of his 88th birthday. He is survived by his oldest sibling, John, his children Jim (Kelly), Julie (Bill) and Patrick (Maria), his grandchildren Courtney (Jon), Jonathan, Joseph and Caitlin, and his adorable great-grandson Jon Logan. Marie, his beloved wife of 61 years, passed away just 9 ½ months ago.

Born in Burnside, NY to Irish immigrants, his mother from County Cork, Ireland and his dad from Dublin, Jim grew up in the Bronx with his three siblings, John, Bridy and Kathleen. As a child, Jim displayed an interest for the violin, which at the age of 7 led him to play his favorite instrument at a performance at Carnegie Hall. As a teen, he worked various jobs, among them as an usher at the well-known Valentine Movie Theater in the Bronx. However, it was his love of working as a mechanic that led to his illustrious career, first as the Chief Line Mechanic for the B-29 Bomber Fleet for the United States Air Force stationed primarily in Fairbanks, Alaska, and later as a pioneer in the towing industry in South Florida. Another highlight of his youth and one he told with a mischievous gleam in his eye was when he flew in a single-engine plane under the George Washington Bridge in New York City with his brother, John, a pilot. Supposedly the youthful indiscretion did not get them in trouble!

Jim met the love of his life, Marie, one summer while visiting Harriman, a small town north of New York City. Jim entered the local corner store and soda shop and there she was working the soda shop counter. Jim made many visits to the soda shop that summer and later often drove up from the Bronx to see her. Jim and Marie wed in 1954 and settled in Harrison, NY, another small town north of the city. They welcomed their first two children, Jim and Julie, in New York while Jim perfected his craft as an auto mechanic and Marie worked as an operator at the local telephone company.

In the early '60s, the couple moved to South Florida, first to Delray Beach and then Boca Raton, where they welcomed their third child, Patrick. Jim worked as a mechanic at Boca Raton Motors and shortly after purchased a gas station located where I-95 and Glades Road meet. While operating Jim's Shell Service Center, he purchased his first tow truck and thus began his foray into the towing business. He started out small with Jim's Towing and that first truck, later forced to close the service station when the I-95 expansion came to Boca. Then he built Jennings Towing and Recovery from the ground up with the assistance of his eldest son, Jim, to the successful company that exists today, Emerald Towing and Transportation Corporation, now in business for 50 years.

A leader in the towing industry, Jim was always a regular at industry legislative and leadership conferences, assisted in the formation and adoption of towing standards in South Florida and was consulted on a regular basis by the Palm Beach County Towing Advisory Group for guidance in advancing towing standards across the industry. He was an expert in heavy duty towing, towing route logistics and air cushion recovery. Due to his expertise in air cushion recovery, he was asked to serve as a consultant for the Air Cushion Recovery Aircraft Division in 1994. He spent February of that year in Bogota, Colombia training members of the Colombian Air Force on how to effectively recover both military and civilian aircraft.

Whenever there was an emergency, especially the big ones, Jim (often referred to as "Senior" or "Boss" by his employees) was always there to handle it personally, even late into the night, with his bright mind and ingenious solutions. Among the most unique recoveries he engineered were hauling a pickup truck out of the ocean at the end of Spanish River in Boca, recovering a single-engine Cessna that crashed at the 9th hole at the Boca Raton Resort golf course, removing a helicopter that crashed at Ft. Lauderdale beach, recovery and clean up for numerous rolled over propane trucks and gas tankers and removing a bulldozer from an 85-foot pit that opened up at the Virginia Key sanitation landfill in Miami. While on that Virginia Key recovery job, it is said that Marie would hose him down in the front yard, along with his youngest son, Patrick, every evening before allowing them to enter the house.

A determined proprietor with a reputation for safety, honesty, professionalism, and dependability, Jim was tenacious in business, but had a soft side too. He was often referred to as a character, quick with a wisecrack, and always had a soft spot for those in need. Personally and through his company, countless charities, employees and friends benefitted from the generosity and compassion that he displayed for others. Emerald Towing and Transportation founded Towers with a Heart, a non-profit organization that helps protect emergency workers who are helping others on the busy roads of South Florida. Emerald is also a leading promoter of Florida's Move Over Law, created to protect emergency road responders.

Besides his business and his employees and business associates, with whom he developed many close friendships, Jim's other passions and interests included taking his wife and kids on long road trips to see America's sites, John Wayne and cowboy movies, Hogan's Heroes, war documentaries, the History Channel, the Miami Dolphins, his beloved Rottweilers over the years, including his latest and favorite, Jake, his church, St. Joan of Arc, and his Lord Jesus Christ. Last but not least was his love for his family and making sure his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandson were happy and thriving. No obstacle was too big when it came to his family, his employees, his friends and his business.

He lived a simple but full life, full of compassion, drive and noteworthy accomplishments. Although he has left us now, his legacy in the towing industry will live on and the values he taught his employees and family will not be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project.www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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Not sure what to say?

July 26, 2016

On behalf of our family I would like to say thank you to everyone that has visited,sent messages, flowers, prayers and sympathy on behalf of Dad. He was the best father and husband anyone could ever hope to have and he will always be loved and missed.

July 15, 2016

Tracker Management Systems

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Jennings family.

July 14, 2016

Ashley Reeher

I'm so sorry Jennings family. I've known Mr. Jennings for the last 8 years from when he brought his first rottie into VCA Spanish River. He was an amazing man always helped me out in all my situations he was one of the only men i could count on and he truly meant everything he said and done. He was god sent and a true angel. I am still in shock and deeply saddened, but he is now with his lovely wife Marie and the two of them wil fly high into the gates of heaven as one! i will miss this great man. I love you Mr. Jennings.

July 13, 2016

Micheil and Jessica Mactaggart , VELOCITY TOWING

Our condolences to (seniors) family and friends, He was an icon, mentor and a compassionate person.He will be truly missed. we lost a great person but heaven gained a great angel to watch over his family and friends.

July 11, 2016

John & Jan Sparks

Our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

July 11, 2016

Darleen Croteau

We first met Mr. Jennings (Senior) and his family back in 1978 when we moved to Boca Raton, FL. My husband, Bob worked for Jennings Towing for many years, and now for Emerald Towing. Senior always made everyone feel like family. He was always a kind, compassionate man, one of the few good ones. Our sincere condolences to Junior, Kelly, Julie, Bill, Patrick, Maria and his beloved grandchildren and great-grandson. Your father will be missed by so many. We pray you find comfort in knowing that he is back in Marie's arms and in the presence of our Lord.

July 10, 2016

BocaCare Urology

Our sincerest, and heartfelt sympathy to the entire Jennings family.q

July 10, 2016

Mickey & Diane King

Jennings's family. So sorry to hear that Jim passed away. He gave so much of himself to others. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

July 9, 2016

MaryEllen Leger

So sorry for your loss, He was a very well known and well liked man..My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time... MaryEllen Leger.

July 9, 2016

sending love an prayers from baltimore md as family here we feel the sorrow an my nephew shane halsey is the man to thank he shared his work ethics through this gentleman an become the person he is today THANK YOU MR. JENNINGS MAY YOU REST EASY

July 9, 2016

Julie Jennings-Burton

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. during my family's time of sorrow.
My dad was a war veteran. He spent his entire life helping veterans so if you wish in lieu of flowers please send contributions to the Wounded Warriors Project.www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Thank you again for all your prayers.

July 9, 2016

Kathleen Montante

May you have the comfort of loved ones who have passed and your lovely wife greeting you on the other side Mr. Jennings May your family have the strength to honor your memory and comfort each other here in life during this time of grief
Wishing peace and comfort to all up in heaven and here on earth
With caring thoughts,

July 9, 2016

Kathleen Montante

I have had the honor of meeting Mr. Jennings Senior at the last few Emerald Towing holiday parties. He was a warm and intelligent man. His family business has been a wonderful employer to Luke and our family. His generosity and business sense are to be admired. I would like to give my deepest condolences to his family from our family. Rest in peace Mr. Jennings
Kind Regards, Luke, Katie, Nate & Lily

July 9, 2016

lynne short

sorry to have never met this great man But just talking with my son Shane Halsey i can feel the admiration and respect he has for him and the many lessons and opportunities he learned from him I know he will be greatly missed everyday

July 8, 2016

Eric Schuster

I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts during this difficult time.

July 8, 2016

Michael Marion

Had a great deal of respect for Mr. Jennings. He was an inspiration and a leader in this industry. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

July 8, 2016

Jessica Singer

So sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Jennings. My father, Bob Croteau, had all wonderful things to say about him. He will be truly missed by many.
Jessica & Andy Singer

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Babione - Kraeer Funeral Home and Cremation Center

1100 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33432

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