James Kevin Hand

Jim was born on September 28, 1945, and passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ethel (Joyce) Hand; and sister, Maureen (Casey) Shepard.

Son of a hard-working Irish immigrant father, Jim lived a fruitful, productive life with his devoted wife Cheri (Gott) of almost 53 years. He is survived by his daughters, Christine (Steve) Jackson, Jacqueline (Parris) Veeder, Jamie (Jacob) Porter; and grandchildren, Lauren Veeder, Grace Veeder, Henry Forde Jackson, Jackson James Veeder, Andrew Jameson Jackson, Ellen Porter, Emma Porter; and sister, Kathleen (Gordon) Gilde, as well as many beloved family and friends.

Jim was a proud graduate of the first graduating class of Hill High School in 1963. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1966. Before he left for Vietnam, he met Cheri on a blind double date (she wasn’t his date but his friend’s). While Jim was in Vietnam, his family extended their love to Cheri, welcoming her and her mother into their many Irish friends/family activities. After Vietnam and many letters, he returned home and married his sweetheart.

He had a long career with McGough Construction and Local 49. After retirement, he took monthly drives by previous construction sites to “check up“ on the buildings he worked on. When driving in St. Paul/Minneapolis; many times, you’d hear him say, “I worked on that building”. He worked on many churches and was most proud of placing the cross atop the St. Paul Cathedral.

Post-retirement, he had many missions in life: a few of his favorites were making people laugh, gardening, building a mini machinery hill (that rivaled the State Fair), and learning about every new tool or engine of any kind. But his most favorite (besides teasing Cheri) was supervising his grandchildren with gardening, yard work, or garage time. It came easily to him, and he enjoyed the stories those activities provided for future teasing or storytelling.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:30 AM Monday, July 31 at Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, 1414 N. Dale St., St. Paul. Visitation 3:00-6:00 PM Sunday, July 30 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home - Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St at County Rd B, and at the church from 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Monday. Luncheon will follow at the church. Burial will be at St. Patrick Catholic Church Cemetery, 1880 County Road G, New Richmond, WI following the luncheon.