Date of death: 11/26/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1954
Dr. Manuel James “Jim” Falk, 96, passed into eternal life on Sunday, November 26, 2023, the Feast of Christ the King. He was born on September 21, 1927 in Green Bay, Wisconsin to Manuel John and Alice Margaret.
Jim was a devoted son and the eldest of four boys – “Jimmy, Jerry, Bobby, and Dickie” – who remained close throughout their lives. Growing up in the Depression Era, Jim was a resourceful and hardworking boy, helping his family earn money by selling papers and doughnuts. A lifelong scholar, Jim loved school as a child, and felt especially grateful to learn piano and trumpet and join in the musicals after he began attending Catholic school. He graduated from St. Joseph Catholic Grade School, and then from Central Catholic High School in 1945, where he served as Senior Class President.
Jim served in the United States Navy from 1945-1946. After his service, he attended St. Norbert College for premedical studies. Jim then attended Saint Meinrad Seminary, exploring a potential call to the priesthood, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a thesis on the philosophy of labor in 1950. After a 70-day backpacking tour of Europe, Jim attended St. Louis University to work toward a Master of Arts in Philosophy, and joined the Air Force ROTC.
It was during this time in St. Louis that Jim met his match, Gwendolyn Maureen. After a brief courtship and solemn engagement, the two were married on January 3, 1953 in St. John, Missouri at Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church. After they were married, Jim served his country with the Air Force, studying Russian in Syracuse, New York, and then doing intelligence work with the National Security Agency in Arlington, Virginia.
Jim and Gwen moved back to Wisconsin shortly thereafter, where Jim attended medical school at the University of Wisconsin, graduating in 1961. Jim enjoyed a long medical career serving the greater Green Bay community with competence, love, and care as a family physician. His children remember him often speaking to his patients over the phone whenever they needed him, driving to the hospital in the dark to deliver babies, and making many house calls.
He and Gwen had seven children by the time of his medical school graduation, and they went on to welcome a grand total of 15 children. The youngest are especially grateful that Jim and Gwen were so generous, sacrificial, and open to life. As a father, Jim was a constant teacher and source of encouragement (or a kick in the pants, as needed). He and Gwen modeled intellectual curiosity for the family. Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and the globe all made regular appearances at the dinner table, as did the Lectionary, a Catholic book of Scripture readings.
Most centrally, Jim knew the Lord, and sought after Him with heroic strength and vitality his entire life. Jim loved and honored his wife, he introduced his children to Jesus, and invited his family and community closer to God throughout his life. After retirement, Jim was active with the Church, especially with the Serra Club and with Scripture studies, gardening for Paul’s Pantry, and serving the Salesian Mission in Northern China with Gwen and his brother, Fr. Bob. He was ever the doting and dedicated grandfather to his 111 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The world is immeasurably better for the long and fruitful life of Manuel James.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of over 70 years, Gwendolyn Maureen and his 15 children: Peter (Teresa), Mary Kathleen (Edward), Mary Alice (James), Paul (Roxane), John (Beth), James (Dawn), Mary Sheila (Joseph), Mary Claire (Jeff), Mary Teresa (Mark), Andrew (Paula), Matthew (Deborah), Mary Margaret (John), Mary Christine, Mary Grace (Jason), Mary Elizabeth (John Michael).
He is also survived by 51 grandchildren: Stephanie (Kyle), Marie (Daniel), Matthew (Mackenzie), Jamie (Mitchell), Michael, Jennifer (Shane), Edward II (Andrea), Anne (Jared), John (Ashleigh), Nicholas (Lisa), Gwendolyn (Marco), Mary Grace, James, Joseph (Kathleen), Robert, Lucie (Rodolfo), Monica (Edwing), Marianne (Robert), Emily (Erik), John Paul, Nicholas (Joanne), Raquel (Stephen), Vincent (Kendall), Logan (April), Molly (Bryan), Luke, Tessa (Margaret), Taylor (Nicole), Madison, Sarah Kate, Kate (Ariel), Sarah, Timothy, Sara (Chris), Anna, Zoe, Henry, Samuel, Benjamin, Nathan, Magdalen, David, Jonathan, Daniel, Julia, Leo, Rosaline, Anthony, Vincent, Peter, Juliet, and 57 great-grandchildren: Isabel, Gideon, Asher, Mason, Adrienne, Rylie, Ezra, Benjamin, Hattie, Audrey, Winnie, Christian, Tristan, Brielle, Brooklyn, Katherine, Edward III, Michael, Mariana, Louis, Daniel, Austin, Colum, Rose, John Jr., Levi, Dominic, Grace, Joy, Joseph, Katelynn, Mikayla, Irelynd, Jameson, Olivia, Matteo, Gianna, Gabriel, Lucas, Vincent, Luisa, Abigail, Evelyn, Eleanor, Sebastian, Josephine, Aden, Zia, Quinn, Maximillian, Veronica, Lily, Jasper, Savannah, Tony James, Vera, and Oscar . Two new great grandchildren are expected later this year.
Jim is further survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Marlene, as well as many nieces and nephews, whom he held very dear.
He was preceded in death by his parents Manuel John and Alice Margaret; his brothers, Rev. Gerald, Rev. Robert, his grandchildren, Daniel, Cory, and Carrie (Augie); his nephew, Eric and his great-niece, Marnie.