Mazomanie--James Michael Auchue passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 after a two year battle with brain cancer.
Jim was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison on February 13, 1954. He spent his grade school years at St. Raphael’s Catholic School where he was proud to be appointed the president of the Acolyte Society. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1972. He earned his BA in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Master’s degree in Industrial Recreation from the University of Minnesota.
Jim is survived by his wife, Linda (McGinley) Auchue; sisters-in-law, Laurie McGinley and Judy (Jim) Melton; brother-in-law, Richard (Jen) McGinley; nephews, Chris (Sarah Nelson) Wilson, Andrew (Rhiannon) Wilson, James Gottschalk, Brett (Kara) Gottschalk; nieces, Danielle Wilson and Alyssa and Amanda McGinley; great-nieces, Adyson and Amelia Wilson; and great-nephew, Charlie Wilson; as well as his many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Florence Auchue; his sister, Patricia Wilson; and brother-in-law, John Wilson.
Jim was devoted and loyal to his family and friends. He celebrated their accomplishments and encouraged them when life took a wrong turn.
Jim’s spent over 30 years working to improve the employment environment and personal lives of disabled individuals. He started working in Human Resources for Minnesota Diversified Industries in St. Paul in 1978. He and Linda relocated to Siren in 1989 when Jim was hired as Director of Diversified Services. They moved back to the Madison area in 1999 when Jim took over management of Valley Packaging. In 2008, Jim left the rehab business and started Blue Sky Painting. In 2012, with his dog Lucy, he added canine bed bug detection services to his business.
Jim had a zest for life that led to numerous hobbies and interests. He played hockey and golf. He started playing hockey on the outdoor rinks on Madison’s north side and moved on to play at East High, on the UW JV team and the Madison Capitals. He continued to play organized adult hockey until he was 55, although his favorite games were the pickup games at Tenney Park.
He was an avid fisherman. He always looked forward to the annual fishing trips with his buddies and would spend hours hunting those elusive perch and walleye. In fall he could be found walking the woods and fields hunting pheasant and grouse with his beloved golden retrievers.
When not playing hockey, golfing, fishing or hunting, Jim could be found in his workshop. Many of his friends and relatives have enjoyed a cocktail sitting on one of his double Adirondack chairs. He loved to find new uses for old wood and paneling and was very generous with the products that came out of his workshop.
Jim is known for his sense of humor. He liked to laugh and he loved to make others laugh. He entertained his many, many friends and relatives throughout his life and those memories will live on.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at ST. PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N. Sherman Avenue with Msgr. Charles Schluter presiding. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Tues. May 17.
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