Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Friday, October 07, 2011 at 06:59:14 :
Novato Advance
April 11, 2001
A-4
James B. Hechim Sr.
James Brock Hechim Sr., a retired real estate developer and 33-year Novato resident, died Wednesday, March 28 at Marin General Hospital of a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 67.
A San Francisco native, Jim worked many positions at Bethlehem Steel in So. San Francisco. Generations of the Hechim clan were employed there – with Jim’s grandfather, father, uncle and identical twin brother rolling steel that was used on many structures, including the Golden Gate Bridge.
A 1951 graduate of Balboa High School, he also received a degree from City College of San Francisco. He and twin brother Thomas Hechim Jr., enlisted in the Air Force in 1953 training as Petroleum Supply Specialists in Tillamook, Ore., and served in the Strategic Air Command with the 8th and 15th Air Force and the 28th Heavy Bombardment Wing during the Korean Conflict. Jim received certificates in Base Leadership School and a National Defense Service Medal for good conduct during his service at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. Jim graduated third in his class at the NCO Leadership Academy.
After an honorable discharge with the rank of Buck Sergeant, Jim returned to Bethlehem Steel. Later he worked for United Airlines at SFO and was proud to tell stories about people he met as a crew member, including Harry Truman. He became involved in a modeling agency where he met his future wife of 38 years, Gloria. He often said, “It was love at first sight!”
In 1968, Jim began a real estate career with projects in Brook Trails, Shelter Cove, Hidden Valley Lake and Lake California. He later formed his own corporation, Dynasix, developing 6,100 acres of land near Warm Springs Dam called Lake Sonoma Ranches. In 1987, his lifetime love of the Hawaiian Islands led him to form Hawaiian California Properties, where he negotiated the purchase of acreage on Kauai’s North Shore.
In the late 1970s, he chose to run his business from home to be with his family. “The highlight of his life was his family,” said his wife, Gloria. He also was a fixture at Novato schools, picking up his children with two Great Pyrenees dogs in the van each day.
“He was a maverick and had so much foresight about Northern California real estate,” said his son, James Hechim Jr. of Novato. “He was a true patriot and loved his country.”
Recently, he was a team leader during the US Census in Marin.
Jim loved cooking and was known for his “crab cioppino.” He enjoyed music and dancing. Jim played golf and in his youth was a caddy to professionals like Ken Venturi. He was a member of the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge and a past member of Rolling Hills Club. He won numerous decorating awards for light displays in Bel Marin Keys.
In addition to his wife and son, survivors include a daughter, Caroline Hechim Albee and son-in-law David Albee of Petaluma, a granddaughter, Damianne Albee of Auburn, AL, grandsons, Drake and Brock Albee. He also is survived by two sisters, Diane J. Pound of Millbrae and Susan Mattos, a sister-in-law, Judith Phillips of Santa Rosa, nieces and nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Caroline and Thomas Hechim Sr., and his twin brother, Thomas Hechim Jr.
Memorial services will be at 1:30 p.m. April 22 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Novato.
Contributions may be made to the American Heart or Diabetes Associations or Veterans organizations.
Arrangements are by Mount Tamalpais Mortuary and Cemetery in San Rafael.
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