James Edward Majeskey Sr.

James Edward Majeskey, SR entered into rest on September 3, 2022.  He was born on August 9, 1942 in the small farming town of Hatfield Massachusetts.  During his youth, he worked in the tobacco fields in the local area.  He graduated from Smith Academy in 1960.  He was a three sport athlete at Smith Academy and a prominent member of the “Fabulous Falcons” who as a team from a School with 60 boys from grades 7-12 won their first Western Massachusetts Championship in Basketball in the Boston Garden, defeating schools with enrollments in the thousands.  As he liked to say’ “We were just like the movie ‘Hoosiers’” 

On his senior trip along with the graduating class of neighboring Hopkins Academy (Hadley, MA), He met the love of his life, Sandra Ann Rodak on the steps of the United States Capital building over a drippy Popsicle.  He went on to Boston College and graduated in 1964.  He married Sandra on June 20, 1964 and remained that way until her death in August of 2019.

Just after the wedding he began his career in the insurance industry with Aetna Life and Casualty as an underwriting trainee.  He finished first in his class and was promoted to a position in the Aetna Home Office.  From there he became the youngest Underwriting Manager being transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas.  He continued to be promoted and moved the family to Providence, Rhode Island, Hartford, Connecticut and Seattle, Washington.  When he was named Branch General Manager in Seattle, he was again the youngest ever to hold that position with Aetna.  He retired early from Aetna and was immediately hired to be the Seattle Branch Vice President for Royal Sun Alliance.  During his time in these leadership positions, he took great pride in being able to mentor members of his team, and watching them succeed in the insurance industry.  He was truly proud to have mentored so many in the insurance industry on both the company and agency sides.  After retiring from Royal he worked for short periods with two agencies in Western Washington.

Once he fully retired, he spent much of his time volunteering in the local community.  He was a volunteer for many years for Spokane Valley Partners, but most of his time was spent involving the Catholic Church.  He was a member of Saint Mary Knights of Columbus since moving to Spokane Valley.  He was the Grand Knight for two terms and was always active in their fund raising events.  He was also active with the Saint John Paul II Society whose mission is to break down financial barriers and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life and to ensure the vibrancy and vitality of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Spokane.

In his free time he enjoyed golfing, fishing and talking sports, especially talking about Boston College sports. 

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Sandra.  He is survived by his Daughter Karen of Spokane Valley as well as his Son James E II, Daughter in-Law Tammy and granddaughter Jenna all of Spokane.

The Memorial Service begins at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 23rd at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spokane Valley, WA followed by an 11 a.m. Committal  at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Spokane Valley, WA., and 11:30 a.m. reception at Hennessey Valley Funeral Home in Spokane Valley, WA.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to The Saint John Paul II Society, P.O. Box 10253, Spokane WA 99209 www.sjp2society@gmail.com. To leave condolences for the family and share memories of James, please visit his Tribute Wall.