James F. Sweetheimer

Rochester - Passed away on June 20, 2023 at the age of 84.

Predeceased by his mother, Gladys Sweetheimer.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Kay; daughters, Kristin (Mark) Graupman, Jana Schuster, & Vicki Sweetheimer; grandchildren, Abbie Graupman, Bryn Mulholland, Henry, Amelia, & Ethan Schuster, Emma & Aidan Wirlo; many nieces, nephews, & friends.


Superman found his Kryptonite.

If you knew Jim Sweetheimer you knew unconditional love, devout dedication, extreme loyalty and an endless supply of hugs. And pride. You can't mention him without talking about pride. He had an internal pride that was unmatched. A pride that grew from something so beautiful. His family.

He did not have the best start in life and he turned that mountain into defending his beautiful world with the strength and determination of a cornerback, the speed of a record-breaking sprinter and the agility of a 140-Ib. class wrestler (see what I did there). His family was his pride and joy and you only needed to nod your head hello and you'd be there for an hour hearing about all of their accomplishments (and he'd probably throw in a few of his own too). He was who he was because of all of us. And it grew from the love he had for Mom. He met a 4-year-old girl who he thought needed an Easter basket when he was 6 years old and it all grew from there. If you believe in soul mates, they were the definition of it. She was his everything.

He was the man you thought of whenever you needed help and no matter who you were or what you needed he was always there. He was our Hero. From throwing the neighbor's tire-swing rope over the highest branch to the man who invited the entire hospital staff to a barbecue he was planning this August... He had an unmatched need to make people happy.
There are more memories than we could possibly list.

He meant so much to so many people. For so many reasons. It would be his pleasure if we'd all enjoy the ones we shared with him.

We all believed that if anyone could live forever it would have been Jim Sweetheimer. It should have been Jim Sweetheimer. What the world needs is more Jim Sweetheimers.

His light has dimmed - although ever-glowing. And we are all better people having been warmed by its spectacular glow. Thank you for absolutely everything.


Family will receive friends 12 PM - 3 PM Sunday, June 25, 2023 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 2636 Ridgeway Ave, where his Celebration of Life will follow at 3:00 PM.


Contributions may be made to: Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

To share a memory of James or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.