James Greene

MADISON - James "Jim/Jimmy" Greene came to "the end of the line" on April 15, 2016 after a long battle with renal failure and Crohn's disease. He was laid to rest with his Frye boots at Natural Path Sanctuary in Verona, WI. Jimmy was born December 12, 1952 in Nyack, N.Y. and grew up in New York City and N.J. He traveled widely, hitch-hiking across the country in his teens, living in Canada, and settling in Wisconsin over 30 years ago. He was a skilled carpenter, general contractor, and founder of Jim's Carpentry in Madison. Jimmy faced increasingly difficult health challenges with courage, grace, and dignity. He endured physical constraints without a trace of self-pity, while remaining engaged with the things and people he loved. An avid reader, film buff, and "political junkie," he enjoyed music, Packers games, and long walks with his dog Bobby McGee. He was an irrepressible raconteur, recounting his many exploits with great relish and humor to anyone who would listen. A self-described "curmudgeon," his somewhat gruff exterior masked a sensitive, generous, and caring soul. Charming, loveable and sometimes cantankerous, he will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is survived by daughter Ashly Altman of Atlanta; sweetheart and soul-mate Rachel Fon of Stoughton; devoted housemate Lyle Anderson of Madison; mother Patricia Greene of N.Y.C.; siblings, Christina Greene (Jim Conway) of Madison; Claudia "Chloe" Greene, Catherine Greene, Susan Greene, and Stephen Greene (Evangeline) all of N.Y.C.; nieces and nephews Allie Figueroa Greene, Dylan Conway-Greene, Brian Ayala, Jennifer Ayala, Damien Ayala, Victoria Greene, Tara Greene; cousin Johnny Gibbons and many others. He was preceded in death by his father James J. Greene; grandparents Veronica Gibbons, Rose and Michael Greene; aunt and uncles Frances and Richard Brew, and Jack Gibbons. A special thanks to the medical team at UW Hospital ICU Cardiology for their extraordinary kindness and sensitivity. Donations can be made to the Farley Center for Peace, Justice & Sustainability in Verona at www.farleycenter.org .


Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Rd
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434