In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the organization Jim was instrumental in founding, Get Focused...Stay Focused!®, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people become economically self-sufficient. Donations can be made online or by check (made payable to Get Focused Stay Focused).
Get Focused Stay Focused
5290 Overpass Road, Suite #223
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
5290 Overpass Road, Suite #223
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Video Montage of Jim's Life
Arrangements
A Memorial Mass by Jim’s good friend Father Ryan will be said for Jim at
Saint Catherine of Siena Parish Church on May 18th at 11:00 am
1310 Baywater Ave. Burlingame, California
A Funeral Mass was celebrated by Father Steve on April 10th at
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Montecito, CA
Eulogy by Duncan Logan,
The Mass was followed by a graveside service at Santa Barbara Cemetery with a Military honor guard.
Jim Comiskey
Entrepreneur, Author, Consultant
Celebrating the Life of Jim Comiskey
After spending 30 years working first as an executive in a Fortune 500 company and then as an owner of a successful retail chain, Jim Comiskey turned his energy and expertise toward the educational arena.
Realizing the future of our country depended on an educated and motivated workforce, from 1992 to 2001 Jim refocused his efforts on education becoming the President of Academic Innovations. In that role, he brought to the education community his techniques and strategies that had proven extremely effective in the business environment.
Jim loved to meet and talk to educators
Author of two successful business management books, Jim was a management consultant for such companies as Apple, Pac Bell, and Intuit. During his retail career, he hired and trained hundreds of employees, many of them recent high school graduates.
Jim’s business experience, combined with his understanding of the needs of today’s educators and students, is shared within his book, A Teen’s Guide to Career Success: How to Get and Keep a Job.
Jim Comiskey
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Friend
Jim and his sister, Mary Ann, at the Japanese Tea Garden
Jim was born in San Francisco to George and Virginia Comiskey at Saint Mary’s Hospital on Thanksgiving day, November 24, 1938. At the age of 2, he, his parents, and his sister, Mary Ann, moved to 372 17th Avenue in the Richmond District to live with Jim’s grandmother. That classic Georgian home still stays in the family today thanks to the foresight and generosity of Jim and Mary Ann.
Jim’s family home in San Francisco—in the 1950s and more recently
Growing up during World War II had an impact on Jim. He had many memories of that time, particularly at the end of the war when the neighborhood kids paraded with the flag around the neighborhood.
Jim, in his teenage years
Raised in the Catholic Church, Jim went to Star of the Sea Church and Grammar School and then graduated in 1956 from Sacred Heart High School. In 1957, he joined the Marine Corps where he was stationed at Camp Pendleton. He continued in the Marine Corps Reserves for six years along with what became lifelong friends, Jon McMahon, Jerry Piazza, and Gene Gallagher.
Jim, in the Marines
Jim with Jerry Piazza and Jon McMahon
Jim was always a worker, starting as young as 12 taking odd jobs to earn money. He put himself through college, attending first San Francisco City College and then the University of San Francisco where he graduated with a degree in Marketing 1962. Upon graduation, he entered the world of business management and entrepreneurship, which included a long career of helping others realize their goals. This remained his passion for the rest of his life.
He started his full-time work life and he was recognized early and was soon sent to New York City where he spent five years working for Eco Labs, a Fortune 500 company, as a product manager. But the desire to be his own boss was strong so, along with his family, which included his two daughters, Cindy and Susan, in 1970 he returned to California, settling in Saratoga to start his life as an entrepreneur.
After 8 years of building a business from scratch, he sold his chain of retail stores and embarked on a speaking career, teaching others how to realize their entrepreneurial dreams. In 1984, Jim wrote his first book, How to Start, Expand, and Sell a Business and, in the process of writing and publishing that book, in October 1984, he went to a weekend publishing workshop in Santa Barbara where he met Mindy Bingham, one of the leaders of the workshop.
Jim, in 1990
This event started not only his love of writing and publishing but also a deep friendship that later transitioned to their special love story. They would both tell you it was an instant attraction at first sight that weekend. They started their life together as really good friends before starting to date in January 1990. After a year of a long-distance relationship, Jim moved to Santa Barbara in October 1991 to be with Mindy. They were married on August 22, 1993, at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito.
Their wedding day, 1993
In 1992, Jim wrapped up his own business projects and joined Mindy in her publishing company, Academic Innovations. Together they dedicated themselves to supporting an enterprise that, to this day, has impacted the lives of over 2.5 million students. Upon his retirement from Academic Innovations in 2001, he continued his writing and authored a variety of workbooks and manuals for high school students to help them navigate the world of work.
With some of the Academic Innovations gang
During the decades that followed, as time permitted, Jim and Mindy enjoyed travel all over the world. In particular they loved Europe and their favorite place was the Cotswolds. Between 1990 and 2015, they returned often.
Jim, in the Cotswolds
In order to be close to Jim’s family and Bay Area friends, for 25 years they spent up to 3 months each year in their timeshare, Powell Place, in San Francisco at the top of Nob Hill. They felt they had the best of both worlds. Montecito was their town and San Francisco was their city.
At Powell Place
In particular Jim loved the time he spent with his grandchildren, Emily, Ian, Harrison, Charlotte, and Luc. And they all loved their Poppa Jim, because of his sincere devotion to them.
Jim’s grandkids
Over the last 20+ years since his retirement, Jim continued to be Mindy’s biggest cheerleader, supporter (and critic ;-) as she continued running the company she founded in 1990, Academic Innovations. Starting his own new business in 2002, Real World Learning, Jim continued to write, go to the office each day, and work on projects to promote student success.
Celebrating their anniversary at San Ysidro Ranch
His love of classical music and fine art balanced his highly technical mind when it came to business strategies and results. This breadth of curiosity made him the most interesting conversationalist. Generous in spirit and deed, Jim was a caring soul who could be counted on to listen and make wise observations. As one friend observed, “everyone loves Jim Comiskey.”
"Everyone loves Jim Comiskey"
Jim is survived by his wife Mindy Bingham, daughters Cindy Greene and Susan Forsburg, step-daughter Wendy Bingham Friedman, and grandchildren Emily and Ian Forsburg, Harrison Greene, and Charlotte and Lucas Friedman.
Jim’s family, 2018
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the organization Jim was instrumental in founding, Get Focused...Stay Focused!®, a nonprofit dedicated to helping young people become economically self-sufficient.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated individuals who served as companions, cooks, caregivers, and nurses for Jim, especially during the last five years of his life. His exceptional team over the years included Greye, Jose, Lani, Linda, Mary, Tanya, Debbie, Searrah, Shannon, Karyn, Jessica, Socorro, Yesi and hospice nurses Lori, and Trish.
In particular, we would like to honor Greye Pineda, who demonstrated incredible commitment by voluntarily isolating with Mindy and Jim on March 15, 2020, due to COVID. Greye remained steadfastly by Jim's side throughout these past five years, providing unwavering love, devotion, and excellent care that greatly enriched Jim's final years.
Thanks to the collective skills and compassion of everyone involved in Jim's care, he experienced happiness, security, and superior care in the comfort of his home, surrounded by the love of Mindy and his Santa Barbara family and friends.
Guestbook
Dear Mindy, I send you my warmest heartfelt support for your loss of Jim. I well remember the time I spent working with you both in past years. The video of your lives introduced me to parts I did not know about, and your love was present and in full view throughout. I wish you well as you transition into this phase of your life. Much love, Margaret
- Margaret Dodd
The love and kindness of Jim was evident everytime you were in his presence. His love, care & devotion to Mindy brought him and anyone around him joy.
- Dr. James & Mary Hinesly
Dearest Mindy, although we've met just six months ago, your warmth and kindness creates such a welcoming aura, it feels like we've known each other a lifetime. No wonder there was a twinkle in Jim's eye every time you entered the room. Your "Jim and Mindy" stories were fascinating. It was a great honor to be a part of Team Jim. As other loved ones, I am here for you.
- Linda Luber
Dear Mindy, we are sending you all so much love and light today and everyday forward. We are so sorry for your loss and we love you. Yours always, p&j
- Priya and James Darnborough
Jim was a very special brother-in-law. He was loving to our family. And lots of fun to be with. We had great times at holidays. Our best times times together were in San Francisco, his home town. We will miss him very much.
- Joann & Sterling Myers
Warm regards to Mindy and family.
- Diane Bennett
When I think of Jim, I most think of how joyful and enthusiastic he was whenever he greeted me. What a loss and what a legacy. Thinking of him and my great condolences to his family.
- Kelly Gajewski
Mindy:
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. I am sorry we are not able to attend the ceremony on Wednesday, but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let us know if you need anything. Best, Henry & Emily Glasheen
- Henry Glasheen
It was such a pleasure to meet Jim as he was such a warm, happy person, and so devoted to Mindy. I had the pleasure of going to the Tonga Room at the Fairmont during a conference with our group and dancing cha cha with Jim to the music of a floating orchestra, at Mindy's instigation! I know he will still be watching over Mindy.
- Karen Miles
We had Jim (and Mindy) over for dinner one night and it was evident that he was her soulmate. I’ve know Mindy for over 45 years and she was the happiest I’d seen her with him by her side. He was smart and witty and a great listener. He was a gentle soul and genuinely interested in our lives.
- Dawn O’Bar
i am remembering a wonderful celebration of Jim's 70th birthday atop a large building with panoramic views of San Francisco. The party was followed by a bar crawl ; all in all a wonderful evening filled with Mindy and Jim's good friends.
- vicky mcevoy
Dear Mindy and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim will be dearly missed, his beautiful smile and gracious, welcoming nature will be forever remembered. With love, Teri and Curt
- Teri Munger
Dear Jim, so thoughtful and encouraging and always looking for the best way to promote and share good ideas especially within the realms of entrepreneurship, education, and the workforce. I fondly remember all the conventions, meetings, trainings, gatherings, even holiday outings and cups of coffee. He was a distinguished champion of entrepreneurs and he inspired me and many others to make the effort instilling a sense of purpose that helped us all believe in our ability to succeed. Sadly missed but always remembered, with love Penny
- Penelope Paine
Jim was my first boss in my first real career job. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor and friend in those early years. His decades of knowledge and experience in marketing, merchandising, business ownership and sales brought me a wealth of education that I still use to this day.
I have such great memories of working closely with Jim figuring out the Pet Store Excellence business. Setting up a mini warehouse, figuring out how to get all of Jim's ideas on mailings and marketing into an ancient IBM computer with an amber monitor was a challenge. But most importantly, Jim was a fantastic teacher. He was patient and while he always wanted the best professionally with how we communicated to our customers, he was equally committed to teaching me all the things that are needed for a successful business.
As we then moved into doing more and more with Able Publishing and Academic Innovations, I remember my first business trip to Chicago and the many educational conventions we attended together. Always a great communicator with the teachers and administrators at these conferences, he taught me how to setup a booth and talk to them in ways that were welcoming and connecting. 60 day review copies of the curriculum were so much of my life back then. :-)
I also have such great memories of the hard work of proof reading all the new books that Jim wrote for the company. This is another great lesson he taught me. Jim was never an author before, but seeing his passion for the practical materials created to help the kids in high school drove him to want to do even more. Writing on yellow pads and having me type up all those pages into the computer was a great front row seat in seeing how he exemplified doing what needed to be done for the good of the company and the students he wanted to serve.
I am honored to have worked for Jim and much of what I could call my work success is owed to him. Thank you Jim.
- Jim Johnson
We had the pleasure of getting to know Jim as we attended many conferences and events in the early days of Get Focused Stay Focused. We had much fun on an Alaska cruise and were blessed with hearing fascinating stories of Jim’s life. He will be missed!
- Lawrence and Diane Hollems
Jim and Mindy shared a love for one another and great pleasure in the life they shared together. He had a great sense of humor, being totally honest about situations, challenges, and conundrums. I found him to be elegant and charming in social situations. He spoke about his family with deep love and I always wanted to know more about his career and business roles. We were privileged to get to know him and to celebrate his birthdays at La Cumbre Country Club. Mindy's deep devotion to him- 'in health and in sickness' --remains unparalleled. Thank you for including us in your social circle, Mindy, and take good care of yourself during this time of loss.LOIS & DENNIS
- Lois Visa Phillips
The very first time I met Jim I knew what a wonderful man he was.
He was dining at the old Good Earth restaurant in Goleta as I was watering plants.
🪴 Foe many years I had the privilege to work for Jim and sweet Mindy❤️They made me feel like family.
Dear Mindy, my heart goes out to you 🥲❤️You 2 had a great life together. I hope that you are doing well.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Debbi '🪴🌼🙏🏻❤️🌹
- Debbi Pearson
I first met Jim at a book convention - I think it was in Indianapolis, and I was immediately impressed with his charm, good looks and sense of humor. Mindy, you introduced all of us to Jim as you were already acquainted - little did you know what the future held for the two of you. We were there representing Advocacy Press (as Academic Innovations was known then) - we had a booth and 1 (!) hotel room - there were 5 of us! 5 women sharing 1 room - I still don't know how we managed, but we did! Man, those were the days! Not!!!
My heart goes out to you, Mindy. You were, indeed, a faithful and loving companion on the way, and I know you will miss him. But knowing that he is free at last - I hope that is some comfort to you.
Sending my love, Kathy Araujo (heretofore known as Mom!)
- Kathy Araujo
I first met Jim when I interviewed for a job with Academic Innovations. I liked him right away when he laughed at some joke I nervously made. Over the years, I came to know Jim not just as a kind and generous boss, but also as a wise mentor and caring friend. Having a conversation with Jim was always a treat because he was fully engaged and interested, which feels like a rare thing these days. He had a real gift for making you feel valued and appreciated.
- Tanja Easspm
Imprinted in my brain is the moment Mindy shared with a few friends many years ago about meeting Jim and feeling ‘he rings my bell’- a wonderful love story showcasing devotion❤️
- Laurel Phillips