James "Jim" Patrick Scannell

James (Jim) Patrick Scannell of Novato, California passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the age of 90. He was born on April 29, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he grew up in a loving home with his parents, two sisters and one brother.

Jim graduated from Marquette University High School. He first attended college at Marquette University, and later finished his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at the University of San Francisco. He had an extensive career in radio and television broadcasting, and later sales and marketing. He worked in San Francisco at Pacific Bell Telephone Company (later AT&T) for over 25 years in sales before retiring.

Jim loved music and singing, and had a beautiful baritone voice. His children always thought his rendition of “White Christmas” sounded exactly like Bing Crosby! He had a wonderful sense of humor and laughed easily - even poking fun at himself to make his family smile. A lover of classic Hollywood cinema, as a teenager he hitchhiked from Milwaukee to Hollywood, eventually working on a movie lot and acting in a film. He also loved trains; he and his wife Dawn took many overnight train trips together over the years. But Jim’s true legacy was the steadfast Catholic faith that he and Dawn passed on to their seven children.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Agnes (née Ziemann); his sister, Kathleen (Tom McCormick); his brother-in-law, David Olson; his brother, Patrick; his niece, Katie Olson (Tom Chowaniec); his niece, Jennifer Olson (Chris Mandel); and his great-granddaughter, Eleanor Grabowski.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dawn (née Yaley); his sister, Judy (David Olson); his daughter, Julie (Lew Allison); his son, James; his daughter, Therese (Stephen Lawlor); his daughter, Mary Anne (Bob Richárd); his daughter, Sarah (Mark Genter); his daughter, Monica (Luke Landeros); his son, Patrick; as well as 23 grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass on Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Committal and burial to follow at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Cemetery in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memoriam to:

Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation

419 NE Madison Ave.

Peoria, IL 61603

www.celebratesheen.com/donate