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September 16, 2025
James (Jim) Willenbecher, Jr. passed away in Tucson, Arizona on September 2, 2025. His strength and spirit were amazing during his two-year battle with End Stage Kidney
and Parkinson’s Diseases. Jim was born in Queens, New York on September 22, 1943. He was a graduate of Villanova University in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in electrical
engineering, with additional studies in Mathematics at New York University Uptown, and Manhattan College. Jim was a dedicated Senior Control Systems Engineer with
Hamilton Standard, Sikorsky Aircraft, United Technology, and General Electric with a focus on identifying and fixing problems. Jim participated in the development of 4
patents for Industrial Test and Automotive Equipment. Jim then moved on to be a consultant, and then to Chief Executive Officer and President of Crossfire Engineering.
Jim enjoyed working on cars; riding his Harley Trike; caring for his dogs; brewing and
wine making; and was a licensed Gunsmith. Jim has authored numerous books, such
as “Concoctions of the Beer Engineer”, “More Concoctions from the Beer Engineer”,
“Brewing by the Numbers”, “The Hard Cider Handbook”, and “In Search of a Good 5
Yeast”. Jim was also a Knight with the Knights of Columbus.
Jim is survived by his wife of 17 years, Janette Suzanne Cousy; his brother Thomas
Willenbecher; his sister Carol (Steve) Konopka; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was predeceased by his wife of 34 years, Judith Kreyssig Willenbecher; his parents,
James F. Willenbecher, Sr. and Catherine Mary Carroll Willenbecher.
Services will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at St. Mark Catholic Church
2727 West Tangerine Rd. Oro Valley, AZ 85742 with a rosary starting at 9:30 a.m. and
funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Holy Hope Cemetery.