James T. West (Wesolowski)

WEST

James T. (Wesolowski)

James T. West (Wesolowski) passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Sunday, August 11th, 2024. He lives on in the hearts of his beloved wife Elizabeth R. West, children Thomas and Amy West, Katherine and Jaime West Valles, siblings Judy and Charles, and grandchildren Michael, Daniel, Rafael, Ashton, and Ariana.

Jim, or Jimmy to his childhood family and friends, was born on November 2nd, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in the heavily Pollock and Slovak area of South Side. Being the oldest son in the house (after losing his brother Tommy at a young age) Jim went to work early to help support the family. Everything from odd jobs to running errands. He also spent time being captain of his High School Bowling Team and winning a few trophies.  Jim was a high school-educated draftsman who finished his degree at Duquesne University. He worked as a quality assurance manager for multiple companies, most notably at ALCOA in Pittsburgh and the World Trade Center Freedom Tower construction project in New York, a job he was extremely proud of.

But his real passion was always music. At first, he played accordion solo and with polka bands around Pittsburgh. Next came singing; first with other family members in the church choir and St. Adalbert’s parish and then with The ALCOA singers. Jim and Liz performed together for several seasons with the Pittsburgh Savoyards, and from as early as high school Jim could often be found with three other guys singing Barbershop. He joined SPEBSQSA (now the Barbershop Harmony Society) in his twenties and was a long-time member of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter in the Johnny Appleseed District. Later he was a member of the Chorus of the Potomac in the Mid-Atlantic District. He was inducted into the Delasusquhudmac Honors Society of the Mid-Atlantic District in 2007.  He taught barbershop music theory classes at JAD's Apple Corps summer convention for decades. He was a Music and Arrangement Judge for SPEBSQSA in the 1990's and won an International Silver Medal in the Seniors Quartet competition as the baritone of The Alumni quartet in 1999. He sang in many other quartets, including The Penn Men, Memories of Yesterday, Alleghany Uprising, Ringside, and Twang. His last barbershop endeavor was serving as the director of The Ladybirds Barbershop Chorus of Cumberland, Maryland, in which his wife, Liz, sang Tenor. He is an Honorary Member of the Alpha Zeta Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity at Penn State University. He was a Lions club member and a Mason.

Jim was a man full of kindness, honesty, humor, and emotion, the last of which he always kept “close to the vest.” While he was deservedly proud of both his musical and work accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. His beloved Liz who was his best friend and his children Tom and Kathy who followed in his footsteps and both have careers in the arts. His grandchildren just increased his pride and joy and any time with them was a gift.

The family will celebrate a funeral mass at St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church in Pittsburgh, PA on September 28th at 10:00am. Jim will be laid to rest with his mother and father in St. Michael's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Liz, Tom, and Kathy would like to ask family, friends and admirers to make a monetary donation to Harmony Foundation International on Jim's behalf. 

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