James Donald Tesche

James Donald Tesche passed on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the age of 93, one month shy of his 94th birthday. Jim was born on October 30, 1932 in Queens, NY to German immigrant parents, Frederick and Margaret. His older brother, Fred, passed 1 week before him at the age of 96. Jim married Joan Helen Marx in 1952. They were together 58 years until her passing in 2010. 

Jim joined the Navy and was stationed in Norfolk, VA. Jim and Joan moved back to Queens and had 2 children, Diane and Kathleen. Jim became an NYC firefighter eventually becoming the youngest, at that time, chief. He retired in 1957 and moved from East Meadow, NY to Cape Coral, FL where he enjoyed fishing, boating, and teaching his grandchildren to swim. 

After Joan's passing Jim returned to NY to be with family and in 2025 moved to South Carolina, again to be with family. He is preceded in death by Joan, his younger daughter Kathleen, and his older brother Fred by one week. He is survived by his daughter Diane and her husband and co-caregiver Dennis, amazing grandchildren Dennis, Michael, Rita and Renee, and beautiful great grandchildren Jack, Ryan, Michael, Kaylee, Lucius, Dean, Kathleen, Ruthie, Dillon, Kyleigh, and Sophie. 

He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Joan, on Friday, December 18, 2026 at Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, NY. Together Forever.