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James R. Woiderski, age 76, of Long Lake, lifelong resident of Cheboygan, died on Thursday June 24, 2010 at home. Jim was born in Cheboygan on February 19, 1934, the eldest child of Robert and Catherine (Elliott) Woiderski.
Jim graduated from Cheboygan High School in 1952 and was a short course graduate of Michigan State University in 1955. His first work was as a driver, and then, sales manager, for Inverness Dairy from 1953 until 1962. For two years he worked as an account executive for Plaid Stamps before he started his 32 year career with Met Life in 1964. Jim was one of Met Life's top agents, being the first to write over a million dollars of insurance in a four state region and was in Met's top 200 producers nationwide.
Being civic minded, Jim served on the Cheboygan School Board of Education for five decades, holding the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Trustee. Jim also was active in the Kiwanis Club, chairing the white elephant sale and radio auction and serving as President in 1963. He had over 50 years of perfect attendance and loved curling at the Soo. In 1998, Jim was the recipient of the Kiwanis Club's highest honor, the George Hixon Award and in 2007 he received from the Governor of Florida, their highest award, "The Eagle Feather" for his many contributions to the Kiwanis Club.
Sports were a very big part of Jim's life. At age 14, playing men's fast pitch softball for St. Thomas Church Team, Jim batted 1000, seven hits for his first seven at bats. In high school, Jim pitched and played center field. As an American Legion player he was chosen as an all star pitcher and landed a tryout with the Boston Red Sox.
In 1954 Jim started the Ormsbee Motors Men's Fast Pitch Softball team that won many city titles in both Cheboygan and Petoskey. Jim's team played in eight state final tournaments and won the state championship in 1963 with a 44-4 record. Jim played on the team for 34 years. Also in 1954, Jim sponsored, coached, and played for the Cheboygan Men's basketball team that won the league and city tournament championship. Jim also bowled four times a week with the league championship team, Inverness Dairy.
Jim served as city softball commissioner, district softball commissioner, and President of the Michigan Softball Association from 1967-1969. He was the first person to be elected President for three consecutive terms. His biggest accomplishment was joining the Michigan Softball Association with the American Softball Association so all Michigan players could go on to Nationals.
Locally, Jim was the driving force behind relocating the softball field to its current location and naming it the "David Spencley Field" for a friend that was killed in an automobile accident. Jim also started the Cheboygan Sports Hall of Fame and served as its President. In 1971 the Cheboygan Chamber of Commerce named James Woiderski as "Man of the Year" for all of his efforts.
Not only did Jim participate in, coach, and sponsor sports, he also officiated high school and college football, boy's and girl's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and many state playoffs and tournaments. His career as a referee started in 1958 and after over 6,000 contests, traveling over 700,000 miles, and nearly losing his life twice in place mishaps, Jim retired from officiating in 2009.
In 1961 Jim purchased the point on Long Lake and in 1967 built a home there. Jim enjoyed spending the summers on the lake in Northern Michigan and for the last 15 years has wintered in Titusville, Florida always anxious to return home to Cheboygan. Jim was a legendary hunter and fisherman and an avid golfer. He will be sadly missed.
Jim is survived by two sons, Jay L. (Mary Kay) and John J. (Denise) Woiderski; two daughters, Judy K. (Mearl) Doremire and JoAnn C. (Steve) Wheelock; nine grandchildren, Lisa VanLaanen, Robert Doremire, Brandon Doremire, Jason (Stacey) Woiderski, Jodi (Jen) Woiderski, Casey (Dennis) Auge, Jesse (Janelle) Wheelock, Mandy (Shawn) Blaisdell, and Molly Woiderski; six great grandchildren, Dayln, Andralyn, Tristan, Jaden, Brandon Jr., and Nataleigh. Also surviving are special friend, Barbara Ward, and sister, Susan K. (Cliff) Miner.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents; brothers, Dick and Don Woiderski; and sister, Jackie Bannatyne.
Arrangements
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday June 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Cheboygan with Pastor Harry “Bud” Wagner officiating. Jim's family will receive friends at the church from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at the Cheboygan Eagles.
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