James Power Obituary

James "Jim" Raymond PowerJune 23, 1955 - July 14, 2025
James "Jim" Power, 70, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Surrounded by his wife and children, he remained true to himself until the very end-cracking jokes, sharing memories, and reaching out to loved ones.
Born and raised in Drexel Hill, PA, he remained a devoted Philadelphia sports fan throughout his life. He graduated from Villanova University and earned an MBA and MSW from the University of Pennsylvania. Over the years, he made homes in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Minneapolis.
After more than three decades in finance at Mellon Bank and GE Capital, Jim returned to his true calling, service and social work. While volunteering with the Kinship Initiative at Old St. Pat's in Chicago, he formed meaningful relationships with leaders in the North Lawndale Athletic and Recreation Association-connections he described as life-changing. The experience fueled his passion for ensuring that all children have access to the benefits of sports. This led to him joining the leadership team at Play Like a Champion in 2016 to work alongside his brother Clark. Jim believed deeply in collective impact and remained dedicated to this mission until his final days.
To know Jim was to feel loved. He had a rare gift for making people feel seen, heard, and valued. After his diagnosis, he chose not to fear death, but to embrace life and focus on loving the people who were close to him. He reconnected with childhood friends, shared daily phone calls and texts, and ended every conversation with "I love you." He found joy in life's simplest pleasures: hummingbirds, sunrises, puzzles, grocery runs, birthdays, and his expansive Christmas music collection.
For 47 years, he shared a loving partnership with his wife Peggy-the love of his life and best friend. He was an unbelievable Dad and even better "Pop-Pop."
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ginny Power; his parents-in-law, Jack and Mary Guidera; his brother-in-law, Patrick Guidera; and his niece, Celia Guidera. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; his children, Terry (Kristen) Power, Emily (Logan) Warren, Brigid (Ben) Austin, James (Eliana) Power, and Maggie (Mike) Power-Shafik; his grandchildren, Rosemary, Jameson, Nora, Lucy, Reilly, Cecily, Santiago, Charlotte, Joni, Sam, Thea, Eva, Lily, and Ezra; his siblings, Clark (Ann) Power, Anne Hayden, and Tom (Barbara) Power; beloved Guidera in-laws, and dozens of beloved nieces and nephews.
The Power family extends heartfelt thanks to the talented and compassionate caregivers at M Health Fairview Masonic Cancer Center, the hospital and radiation departments, and his hospice care team, especially Michael, Jane, Star, and Megan.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, July 24 at Green Acres Event Center, 14150 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347. Visitation at 1:00pm, memorial service at 2:00pm, with reception following. Details and questions should be directed to Washburn-McCreavey Funeral Home in Eden Prairie, MN (952) 975-0400.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Play Like a Champion Today, www.playlikeachampion.org, continuing Jim's legacy of kinship and love through youth sports.