James W. Faricy

Jim Faricy — business strategist, mentor, devoted father, grandfather, and possessor of one of the kindest hearts in the world — passed away peacefully on June 30, 2026, at the age of 89.

Born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota, to John "Jack" and Mildred Faricy, Jim carried a lifelong appreciation for hard work, community, and family. He held degrees in electrical engineering and business administration from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Jim was passionate about his work and kept at it until his final days, most recently providing pro bono financial projections and guidance for a small health care agency. He spent more than 30 years at MEDA, a Minneapolis nonprofit, consulting with minority and female business owners and entrepreneurs. Jim believed deeply in creating opportunities for those who had been given fewer of them, celebrating their successes and becoming a loyal customer of their businesses himself. He worked with integrity and was loved by colleagues and clients throughout his career. Many of them became lifelong friends.

In tandem, he ran his own firm, Business Venture Management, as a business broker. Earlier in his career, he helped pioneer the supercomputer industry at Control Data Corporation, served as president and CEO of the data communications firm CEMDEC, and was founding director of the Management and Technical Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota. He got his start as an engineer at Honeywell and Westinghouse.

Jim was a patient and generous listener, a natural mentor, and a calming presence for anyone navigating tough times. He was also a lover of puzzles and a fixture at the game table (Rummikub and Yahtzee were favorites), where his competitive spirit, quick wit, and triumphant cries of "Yahtzee!" created memories his family will hold in their hearts. An avid Vikings fan, he could often be spotted driving by in his purple Vikemobile, ice cream cone in hand.

Above all, Jim treasured his family. He shared the joy of raising his children, Mark and Maryann Faricy, with his first wife Kathie, and he remained close to her throughout his life. For the past 35 years, he shared his life with his partner and soul mate, Rhonda Smieja, who equally matched his big heart and giving spirit. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, beloved son Mark, brother Jerry, brother-in-law Tom, and his grandson Samuel. He is survived by Rhonda; his cherished daughter Maryann; Rhonda's children, whom he loved as his own: Carol Spalony, Jason (Stephanie) Smieja, and Travis (Teri) Smieja; his adored grandchildren Nathan (Carly), Roman, Eyasu, Miles, Steve (Karen), and Brady; his great-grandchildren Katie and Lily; his sister Kay; sisters-in-law Sue, Beth, and Jurene; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a wonderfully large extended family, all of whom he held dear. Jim's soul will keep on giving through the kindness he instilled in each of them.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, July 12, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a time of sharing at 6:00 p.m., at Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 North Hamline Avenue, Roseville. A second visitation will be held Monday, July 13, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Corpus Christi, 2131 Fairview Avenue North, Roseville, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be a private ceremony at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Mark Faricy Memorial Scholarship, an endowment fund at the University of Minnesota Duluth that supports gifted music majors in Mark's memory — so that, like Jim, it may keep on giving.