James "Jim" R. Woollacott

James “Jim” R. Woollacott, 72, loving husband, brother, uncle, and friend, of Rockford, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 16, 2019, with his wife Peggy at his side. He was born April 17, 1946, in Rochelle, the son of Fred George and Armella (Graf) Woollacott. Jim attended Rochelle High School, Rock Valley College, and Florida State University. He married Margaret “Peggy” Alms on May 4, 1985. Jim worked as a machinist for many years retiring from Future Tool Inc. His dad taught him to fish at an early age and he never stopped. Jim’s love of nature, adventure, and travel was his passion. His favorite pastime was Bass fishing out of his kayak on a lake while watching the sun rise. Jim traveled to the Boundry Waters Canoe Area for many years. Summers were spent at their cottage on Pleasant Lake in WI. He also loved the two weeks each summer at his cousin’s family camp in Canada. Jim and Peggy spent the winter months in Lake Placid, FL where Jim fished the local lakes. They traveled throughout the U.S. and enjoyed several trips to Europe.
Survived by his wife and best friend, Peggy; his brother, Dick and his wife Jean and their children, Nola English, Nancy (Jon) Atanasoff, and Christopher (Becky) Woollacott; his brothers-in-law, Denny (Karen Moore) Alms and Jerry (Paula) Alms; his sisters-in-law, Doris (David) Ullrich, Connie (John) Spataro, Sharon Hendrickson and Donna Alms; his special cousins, Peggy and Noel Allison and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alvin and Evelyn Alms.
The family would like to thank the staff at UW Hospital in Madison and OSF Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Jim. In memory of Jim, please take a walk in the woods, paddle a kayak, or take a child fishing.
A memorial gathering will be from noon until 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford followed by a memorial service at 2:00 P.M. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.