James E. “Jimmy” Siemanis, 76 – Played in ‘The Other Side’ Band

James E. (Jimmy) Siemanis, 76, of Minersville, passed away Friday, January 27th, at his home.

Jimmy was born in Pottsville, on August 15, 1946, a son of the late Mildred (Zavistanavage) and Frances Siemanis.

He was the husband of Cheryl (Smolskis) Siemanis.

Whether you knew him as Jimmy, Dad, Pop-Pop, Uncle Jim or Ragman, one thing for sure was when you were with Jimmy Siemanis you were loved.

If he was telling you one of his many stories or listening to you tell him one, you always knew you were the center of his attention.

Jimmy fit a lot of life into his seventy-six years, and his opening act was full of fast cars and rock-and-roll gigs with The Other Side, and later GC (Genghis Chicken), Skip Turgleson and the Fabulous Boleros, and Another Side.

After The Other Side, Jimmy worked as an ironworker until his retirement.

He coached Minersville Little League and CYO basketball, and in 1985 he was a coach of the Minersville Girls Senior Division team who a 2nd place finish in Kalamazoo with his daughter, Jenny, on the team.

Jimmy is survived by his wife Cheryl, and children Jenny wife of Kevin Wigoda, sons, Jesse Siemanis and Patrick Meusel, husband of Susan, as well as grandchildren Maggie May, Maxwell James, and Lucy.

He is also survived by his sister, Cynthia, wife of Bob McDonald, and his nephews Bobby & Jonathan McDonald.

If you knew Ragman Jim, getting dressed up was one of his least favorite things to do, so in his honor, the family asks that casual attire be worn to the visitation Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and the funeral service Friday at 11 a.m. at Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc, Minersville. It would highly be appreciated.

In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations made to the Vince Kalochie Memorial Fund at the Minersville Area School District. P.O. Box 787 Minersville, Pa. 17954.

Mahal-Ritzel Funeral Home Inc., Minersville entrusted with the arrangements.

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