Jim, age 82, passed away peacefully, on the day after Easter in Southern California after a brief illness. He leaves behind his brother Dick (and June) Guilhamet of Los Gatos; nieces and nephews: Roxie, Michelle, Peter and Stephen; and seven grandnieces and nephews.
Jim was born in Hollister to Lex and Thelma Guilhamet. Lex and his brother John owned and operated Guilhamet Brothers Meat Market on San Benito Street. His grandparents Steve and Annie Kaelin owned and operated the Cottage Corner Saloon (now Dassel Propane) and the Saloon building is now located in the San Benito County Historical Park. Jim graduated from Hollister High School in 1947, attended San Benito JC and went on to graduate from U.C. Berkeley in 1951. He also obtained his Master’s degree in Russian there.
He entered the Jesuits in 1955 and was ordained in San Francisco in 1965. He said his first mass in Hollister at Sacred Heart Church.
He taught philosophy at Loyola University in LA, did ministerial work at Holy Family Church in San Jose, and directed retreats at Manresa Retreat Center in Azusa, CA. With the closing of the retreat house, Jim eventually made the decision to leave the priesthood in 1998 (although in his heart and soul he was still a priest and stayed true to his vows).
He became a social worker for LA County in Canyon Country, where he enjoyed working with the poor and needy, and was still working for them two weeks before he became ill and returned to his Lord.
Jim was truly a unique individual and touched all those who knew him and loved him. As his best friend John Erickson said, Jim was at heart a Franciscan with his love for the poor.
Donations can be made to his favorite charity, the Catholic Relief Services.
His Funeral Mass was said on April 20, 2012, at St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo, CA and his ashes were buried in their Oblate cemetery. A memorial Mass will also be said on Saturday April 28, 2012, at Christ Child Catholic Church in Los Gatos at 5:00 P.M.
