Mr. James Bachleda

BACHLEDA, JAMES, of Grand Beach and Chicago, died on January 6 at age 67, surrounded by his family. After celebrating Christmas Eve and his father's 95th birthday in the home where he grew up, Jim collapsed suddenly early Christmas morning, and never regained consciousness. He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Prescott, with whom he shared the past 27 years. The beloved son of Joseph and the late Cecelia (née Reverski), Jim is further survived by his treasured siblings, Joseph Jr. (Bobbie), Charles (Rita), Catherine (the late Mark) Carpenter, Michael (Jan Martin), David (Cheryl), Susan (Michael) Moseley, and Thomas (Lori Giorgi). Jim is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he especially cherished, as well as four grand-nephews and one grand-niece, mother-in-law Nancy Prescott, sister-in-law Jane (Jim) Prescott-Smith, uncles, cousins, colleagues and friends. Jim was raised in Allen Park, Michigan, served in the US Air Force, and embarked on a highly rewarding, if unusual, career path. After a less prosperous stint as a ski bum in Aspen, Jim established The Sports Car Exchange in Dearborn, Michigan, with his partner Bob Schneider, where they bought and sold Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Lotuses, and other cars with hard-to-spell names. Jim eventually left the car business, although the love of cars never left him, and pursued a career as a commercial artist, working for Hudson's, L'eggs Products, and the National Enquirer. Jim met Mary at the medical advertising agency at which they both worked (he as an art director, she as an account executive), and after some years of conversations, negotiations, and saving money, they opened their own firm in 2001, where he served as executive vice president until his death. He will live on as one of the most funny, stylish, charming, and knowledgeable people many of us will ever know. Visitation on Friday, January 9, 3-9 pm at The Allen Park Chapel - Martenson Family of Funeral Homes, 10915 Allen Rd, Allen Park, MI 48101. Funeral Mass Saturday, January 10, 12 noon at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, 9000 Laurence, Allen Park, MI 48101, followed by luncheon at Park Place Caterers, 23400 Park St, Dearborn, MI 48124. Reception (2-6 pm) and memorial service (5 pm) on January 24, at Lost Dunes Golf Club, 9300 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, MI 49106. In lieu of flowers, Jim would have appreciated (anonymous) contributions to Grace Christian Center, 683 Maiden Lane, St. Joseph, MI 49085, in c/o Pastor Ron Rayon.