05/04/2025
In Memory of James "Jim" Konchan, 77, of Bay Village, Ohio, passed away on April 27th with his beloved family and friends by his side.
He was born to Rudolph Konchan (deceased) and Mildred Licheski (deceased) on June 13, 1947, in Old Brooklyn, Ohio. Jim graduated from Padua Franciscan High School in 1965 and attended Western Michigan University on a baseball scholarship, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1969, and a J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1973.
He married Theresa Konchan (deceased) in 1974, with whom he had four children: Matthew Konchan (deceased); Mark Konchan (Kaila Phan), of Lorain; Virginia Konchan, of Cleveland; and Anne Konchan (Bijan Ghassemieh), of Seattle. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Camille and Cyrus. The eldest of two children, his sibling is Nancy Esker (deceased).
Jim and Terry moved to Bay Village in 1978 and lived on Russell Road for 45 years. They were members of The Conversion of St. Paul Shrine, and together enjoyed nature, opera, and travel (honeymooning in Yellowstone National Park and trips to Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, and Thailand). Jim encouraged his children's love of music, the arts, and sports, loyally attending all their concerts, performances, and games. He and Terry raised their family with integrity, laughter, a spirit of independence, and unconditional love.
Jim began his career at the Internal Revenue Service, where he worked from 1972-1978. He thereafter began a private law practice with his uncle-in-law James McNamara. He worked as a general practice attorney for 45 years throughout the Cleveland area, including decades of legal counsel to Terry's ESL students. He was also the attorney for Squires Roofing Company, co-owned by his father-in-law John McNamara.
Affable, kind, gentle, and friendly, Jim brought joy and humor everywhere he went, whether in conversations with his family and friends, neighbors, while traveling, or on daily excursions. Born to Slovenian and Polish parents, he celebrated his Eastern European heritage, and as a marathon runner and triathlete, befriended people from all over the world during his decades of world travel as an endurance athlete. His hobbies included photography, hunting, and reading, and his intellectual knowledge was vast, from Soviet history to Catholic hagiography. He rescued and provided a loving home for many dogs and cats in his life, the last being Meatball and Daisy, and delighted neighbors when taking his cats on single file walks down the street. A trustworthy rock, steadfast presence in crisis, and empathetic, compassionate listener, Jim was also a quick-witted and gifted storyteller, and anyone who visited his home would be met by his famous cappuccinos and warm heart.
Charitable, faithful, and admiring of the Jesuit and Franciscan traditions, the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration were among the many beneficiaries of his generosity. He made eloquent defenses of his clients in the courtroom, and believed everyone should be shown mercy and forgiveness and given a second chance.
Heroically undaunted by hardship, among the virtues Jim embodied, as a longtime friend of Bill W, were perseverance, humility, gratitude, temperance, patience, and devotion to God.
A Catholic Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, May 9th at 10am at The Conversion of St. Paul Shrine, 4120 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44103, and a Memorial Gathering will be held on Friday, May 9th from 4-6pm at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 23040 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH 44145.
