Hare, James Martin

 Age 84, passed away from cancer on Oct. 4, 2018 in Bloomington surrounded by family. Born Feb. 7, 1934 in St. Paul, where as a child he often could be found at one of the city ballparks or football fields. He graduated from Cretin HS and the College of St. Thomas where he was voted Mr.Tommie in 1956.  In 1957 he married his high school sweetheart Jean (Lynch) and soon after joined the US Marines, serving for 3 years. Jim played for the All Marines Baseball Team in the Japanese Major League while serving in Okinawa. He returned to MN in 1960 and began a 33-year career as teacher, coach and administrator at Richfield HS. He retired in 1992 and spent much of his time volunteering at many charitable organizations throughout the Twin Cities.

 Jim was an outstanding athlete in HS and college where he excelled as a left-handed pitcher and quarterback. At Cretin High School, Jim was All Conference and All State in football and baseball. He lettered four years in football and baseball at St. Thomas in 1953-56 and was Co-Captain his senior year. Jim was drafted his senior year of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals and turned it down because he wanted to go to college. He was inducted into numerous Halls of Fame including Cretin HS, St. Thomas College, Mancini’s St Paul Sports Hall of Fame and the MSHSL. During his career at Richfield HS he had great success coaching baseball and football. He was voted Coach of the Year by the Baseball Coaches Association in 1971 and 72. One of his fondest memories being the back to back State Champion Baseball Teams in 1971 and 1972.

Alongside coaching high school sports, Jim was active in coaching his sons in football at Pearl Park, winning the Minneapolis City Championship in 1972,73 and 74.

His love of athletics continued throughout his life as he rarely missed any of his children's and grandchildren's games. Jim's love of sports was only surpassed by his love of family and friends. Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was a kind, selfless man who was an example to others with his generosity, love and devotion to his faith. Jim's family is grateful for all who supported him and our family throughout his illness.

 Jim is preceded in death by infant son Steven, daughter Terry Hare-Gothmann and sister, Catherine Hare CSJ. He is survived by wife of 62 years, Jean, sons James P, Daniel (Amy), daughter Betsy Asturias (John) and 7 grandchildren; Ryan (Cassie), Joe (Becky), Jennifer, Megan, Brent, Jake, and Shannon and sister, Jean Hare CSJ.

 Mass of Christian Burial Friday, November 2, 11:00am at Pax Christi Catholic Church, 12100 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie[BA1] . Visitation one hour prior to mass at the church and on Thursday, November 1 from 4 – 7 pm at Washburn- McReavy Funeral Home, Edina Chapel, 5000 W. 50th St.in Edina. A private interment will be held at Fort Snelling at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts preferred in Jim’s name to St. Stephen’s Human Services at 2309 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis MN 55404 or online at sshsmn.org or the Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main Street, Suite 204 Damascus, MD 20872

Published on October 14, 2018