Jim Treacy, RIP :(

[The Amazing Virginian]

It is with a heavy heart that I report that longtime collector and BladeForums member Jim Treacy (jjtjr) passed away in his sleep sometime Wednesday night/Thursday morning.

To me, Jim was an amazing individual who had an interesting and accomplished life. He honorably served this country as a true combat veteran in Vietnam and worked for many years in pipefitting in jobs around the world. And he had the hands for it. Some of the largest, most powerful, hands I have ever seen with tremendous grip power.

Of more relevance here, Jim was a "collector's collector." He did not just talk knives - he purchased, owned, and enjoyed many high end custom knives, and especially ABS forged knives. Are there even 100 knife collectors of his stature in this country? In the world?

Jim not only collected knives, but he contributed to the hobby in various ways, for example as an active member in CKCA where he helped shepherd the creation of two very fine knife calendars, manned the CKCA booth at Blade, shared his knowledge and opinions with me and others, etc. I "met" Jim first online through a knife purchase I did with him many years ago. I enjoyed "hanging out" with him at Blade, having breakfast, dinner, on the floor, etc. Jim was also a regular fixture at Jerry Fisk's annual show in Arkansas, something I know he always enjoyed attending.

There are others here who knew Jim much better than I did, and I am sure they will add more information about Jim and their thoughts and memories. I just want to say that from all I knew about him, he was a good, brave, and honest man and it is always sad when we lose such people as they seem to me to be more and more rare.

The knife collecting community has lost someone who was important to it, and will be missed by me and many others.

Rest in peace, Jim.

 

[Dawkind]

Saddened to read this, my sincerest condolences to you and all of Jim’s loved ones, family, and friends.

God Bless and God Speed us all through this trying time and may Jim Rest In Peace.

 

[surfer]

Rest in peace!
My condolences to his friends and family.

Nicolas

 

[JParanee]

Very sad to hear this I knew Jim Well

He was always a pleasure and a gentleman

Prayers to his family and friends

 

[SharpByCoop]

I'm stunned. As we always are when a 'longtimer' passes without giving notice. Sheesh.

Jim visited me many times in my studios: Both at home and on the road. It became a warm and valued presence anywhere he contributed.

Ken, you brought out the BEST in your tribute. I applaud you for writing so thoughtfully. You made remarks much better than I could. I thank you. Jim thanks you.

 

[Lorien]

Condolences to friends and family of Jim. I wish he could've been here for this year's Best Bowie contest.

 

[Critter]

Bummer! RIP For those interested: https://www.fototime.com/memberdetail/E6EE3CE7DF78484984F64EFDCFB56473

 

[Kohai999]

Your post had just the right words for Jim, Ken. Well written.

Just heard from a dear friend about this, and it positively RUINS the day, if not the year!

Jim was a fellow dear friend, a welcome adversarial and willfully contrarian position in the knife world (for me), dug deep and resolute in his words and ways.

A Vietnam Vet, Union Man, with a New Englander honk. Massive and chiseled out of granite, no mistaking what he meant or how he meant it. He was enjoying retirement with glee.

We spoke at length two weeks ago about life....and J.D. Smith, ABS MS, and the idea that I won't be able to speak to my dear old friend again is absolutely incomprehensible, and supremely painful.

Am really tired of losing friends, as I don't make them easily to begin with. He was a fine one.

Glad he died in his sleep, as he deserved a peaceful finish to his impressive (and hard lived) life.

Sail on amigo, know that your family, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will sing your songs around the campfire and will be heard /revered......I could not miss you more than I already do.

Great love, and

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson

 

[SharpByCoop]

Not many images out there, but I found this one. To those who may recall him at sight.

Jim Treacy



A good man. A big loss to us.

 

[fisk]

I am still very saddened by this. Jim was a good man and loved Mary and the kids very much. I have a photo of him when he was in Vietnam, bandoliers of bullets, machine gun in hand. You can tell he was a tough ole boy. Jim never rode a horse till he was ready to ship out and he wanted to be sure that was crossed off his bucket list in case he did not return. He had a lot of fun on the hog less hog hunt. It was the first time in years he had an AR style rifle in his hands. He jokingly said not be surprised if he had flashbacks. I will miss him.

 

[Jon Brand]

I thought I posted here but it must have been on some other social media yesterday. This was sad for me to find out yesterday. Jim was always very nice and I had a few good conversations with him. Mostly knife stuff. I sold a knife to him at some point and discussed buying one of his. We lost another good one and I won't forget him.

 

[Marcel54]

This is sad news indeed. I first met Jim at the CKCA dinner at Blade 2008. After that we had some really nice email conversations. Once he even helped me out with some issues I had with a US based knifemaker. He had a great collection, I especially envied his collection of JD. Smith and Hugh Bartrug knives.

My condolences to his family.

Marcel

 

[canineforge]

Thank you for this, Ken. Like you, I didn't know Jim as well as many, but I do know I respected him immensely, and would say every knife event I attend with Jim being present took that event to a higher level.

RIP Jim.

- Joe

 

[i4Marc]

My sincerest condolences to Jim's family and friends. I did not know Jim. But it always saddens me when the world loses another person of great accomplishment and character. RIP.

 

[Ellis]

The Knife World has lost one of it's best.
Jim was forged of the toughest stuff but what a genuine sweetheart, he is already missed
Dave

 

[Win Heger]

I never knew Jim but respected his postings and opinions. I know he was a close friend to many, I feel sad for all that knew and loved him. As one of the "older" crowd it disturbs me to see so many passing. R.I.P., Jim.

 

[Kevin Jones]

So sorry to hear this. Jim was a good friend and as an enthusiastic knife person as you could ever hope to meet. He was very knowledgeable and never missed an opportunity to help
a new collector or the community in general. He was very active in the CKCA and did an outstanding job in managing our very successful calendar projects. I always looked forward to
talking to Jim on the phone and seeing him at knife shows. Jim's passing is a great loss to us all.

Jim, seated just to the right of Jerry Fisk at the 2011 CKCA Banquet at Blade Show.

 

[Don Hanson III]

Sorry to hear this! Thanks for the write up Ken!

I got to visit with Jim the most at Jerry's shows and really enjoyed his company.

He will be greatly missed!

 

[parfums95]

Sad news, I'd been in contact with him for Sam knife ,sincere condolences ...
(If someone could buy some flowers, let me know, I would like to participate)

 

[HTMD]

Thanks, Jim, for being a friend to me.

From the McCavitt gravestone at Killeney:

Good people dear as you pass by,
On my cold grave do cast an eye
As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so shall you be.