James R. Haines

James Richard Haines passed away peacefully on October 31, 2022, at home with his love, Mary Lou, at his side. He was just five weeks shy of his 88th birthday. Jim put his family first with every move he made, from his career, to his projects, vacations, and his life as a loving husband, father, uncle, brother, and grandfather. With a mega-watt smile and tall presence, Jim lit up the room. He was witty, clever, brilliant, and as nice as could be.

Jim was a basketball and football star at Jefferson High School and played the French horn. Often “forced” to spend time with the little sister of his brother’s girlfriend, Jim’s view of Mary Lou changed after going off to college at the University of Rochester and enlisting in the Army. A gifted linguist, he entered the Army’s California language school then served as a cryptologist in Germany from 1957-61. Upon his return to Ohio, he went straight to Baldwin Wallace College to visit his pen pal, Mary Lou, who had blossomed into BW’s Homecoming Queen. Jim and Mary Lou were married in 1961. She started her career as a music teacher in Mentor while Jim completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Fenn College. Admiring Lou’s schedule, he decided to get into teaching, earning his Master’s in Education and completing a Ph.D. in Education (short of the dissertation) on the G.I. Bill.

“Mr. Haines” devoted his career to elementary students in the Mentor Public Schools. He taught 6th grade at Garfield Elementary School, was a principal at Headlands Elementary for 17 years then Center Street Elementary, and finished teaching 5th graders at Dale R. Rice Elementary (he said he wanted to end his career seeing the “good side” of kids). Always making school fun, he helped coordinate the infamous Mentor High Circus and the Headlands annual Haunted House.

Jim and his brother Jacque were thick as thieves. They were raised in Jefferson primarily by their mother, Elaine; their father Dan served as a Naval cryptographer and as the Ashtabula County Sheriff, and passed when Jim was 18. The “Haines boys” married the “Anderson sisters” and were inseparable their entire lives, forming an incredible extended family with many traditions. Together they thoroughly enjoyed their later years with cultural activities, travel, golf, church activities, and watching their family bonds carried on in the next three generations.

An avid volunteer, Jim devoted much of his spare time to the Mentor United Methodist Church. Together, Jim and Lou were founding members of the church’s social group, the Merri-Mets, and ran the Rummage Sale for many years. He also served on the finance committee, as an usher, and an investment club member. Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason with the Order of the Scottish Rite.

Family and friends could count on Jim to fix or build anything. With “free” summers, Jim brought to life his vision of a lake house; he designed and built it at Roaming Shores with help from his brother, nephew Jeff, and son, Dan, needing professional help only for electrical, plumbing and the foundation. Jim found creative ways to provide extras for his kids to grow and adventure independently at the lake: jet ski, canoes, powerboats, a paddleboat and a snowmobile. He would always find time to take family and friends out to waterski or tour the lake, and he never missed watching the fireworks from the boat. “The Lakehouse” continues to be enjoyed by the Haines family.

Jim was a family man. He was an amazing father and grandfather. He often quizzed Dan and Kathy with mental math on car rides, encouraged them to read, and challenged them at the dinner table. He never missed a soccer, softball or volleyball game, concert or event. He was known to go overboard with pride as he talked about his kids. He adored babies - much to the embarrassment of his kids - by asking anyone with a baby: “How’s your little helper?” When graced with grandchildren of his own, Grandpa was hands on, popping in to see who was ready for a nap on his belly. He collected toys and was usually on the floor playing trains, Legos, and chess. Every Friday for 12 years, all five grandchildren were at Grammy Lou and Grandpa’s. The duo chose to stay in mentor, proudly attending every game, music concert and school event. Jim was instrumental in running family reunions on both sides of the family.

In later years, Jim and Lou worked the daily crossword puzzles, competed (and won!) Wii Bowling tournaments, hosted card nights, and more. For 20 years they ventured to Hilton Head Island for golf, tennis, walking and biking the beaches, and playing cards. Jim loved tinkering on the computer and watching Cleveland’s professional sports teams. It was fitting that the Browns earned a long-awaited Monday Night Football win on the night of his passing.

Jim is survived by his bride of 61 years, Mary Lou (Anderson) Haines, son, Daniel W. Haines and daughter, Kathryn (Anderson “Duke”) Allyn; grandchildren, Cassidy and Katrina Haines; and Fisher, Fletcher, and Marin Allyn. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carol (Anderson) Haines, nephew, Jeffrey (Stephanie), Haines; niece, Laurel (Mitchell) Babcock, grand-nephews and nieces, and a darling great-grandnephew and niece.

His family will gather privately to witness his burial at Jefferson’s Oakdale Cemetery next to brother Jac’s matching gravestone and by their parents.

His community is invited to celebrate his life at Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Avenue, Mentor, at twelve noon on Saturday, December 17, 2022 followed by a light reception. All are welcome to bring stories and memories of Jim.

In lieu of flowers please send a donation to the charity of your choice. Condolences can be sent to Mary Lou at PO Box 944, Willoughby, OH 44096-0944.