Submitted by: Dan Rich

James J. Tansey

Sept. 29, 1923 - Aug. 9, 2007

South Bend Tribune 8/12/2007
MISHAWAKA - James J. Tansey, 83, of Mishawaka, passed away August 9, 2007, after an illness. He was born September 29, 1923, in South Bend, to Joseph "Al" and Gwendolyn Tansey. His parents and two sisters, Kathleen Donlon and Patricia Molnar, preceded him in death.

On September 27, 1947, Mr. Tansey married Patricia Ouellette, in South Bend, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Kevin of Oakland, California and Dennis (Sue) of Osceola; two daughters, Suzanne Murray and Annette (Gene) Moore, both of Mishawaka; two grandchildren, Andrew (Amanda) Murray and Katherine (Zachary) Emmons; along with six great-grandchildren. A sister Maryanne Gearhart of South Bend and a brother F. Anthony Tansey of Annandale, VA, also survive.

Mr. Tansey was a World War II veteran of the European Theatre and graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Western Michigan University. He began his career in education as a teacher and coach at the former Beiger Junior High School in Mishawaka in 1951. In 1968, he was named the head basketball coach and Instructor of Communication Arts at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac, MI. He enjoyed many successful seasons as coach and was named the Michigan Junior College Coach of the Year in 1976. He retired from SMC in 1989; later teaching speech at IUSB and IVY Tech. Mr. Tansey was a member of the St. Joseph Valley Athletic Officials Association for 43 years, officiating football, basketball and track. He was a member of the chain crew at Notre Dame Football games for over 30 years. Mr. Tansey was the recipient of the Russell D. Oliver Award in 1989, for service to youth and was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2004. He served the City of Mishawaka Parks Program for 37 years, beginning as Park Director, later as Coordinator of Special Events and finally as a member of the Parks Board. He received the Lifelong Service Award from the Mishawaka Parks and Recreation Dept. in 1989.

As per Mr. Tansey's wishes, his body has been donated to the Indiana University School of Medicine. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.