Mr Dundee Jim Masi
Jim Masi
Jim Tending Bar at Masis
JIM MASI
November 15, 1930 – July 7, 2017 (Age 86)
Jim Masi, affectionately known by all as “Mr. Dundee”, age 86, of West Dundee passed away under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family at the Bickford in Crystal Lake on Friday afternoon, July 7, 2017.
Jim was born at home on November 15, 1930, in “Old Carpentersville” and was one of three sons born to Philip & Stella (nee Falese) Masi. Jim was a lifelong resident of the area, a 1949 graduate of Dundee Community High School and a lifelong member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee. He was a former member of the Dundee Rotary Club, a member of Dundee VFW # 2298, and a member of the Siena Council# 8546 Knights of Columbus at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Jim served on the Dundee-Crown Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and participated in Heritage Fest and events sponsored by his church, St. Catherine of Siena, such as Irish Fest. Jim was also a very proud United States Army Veteran and served in Germany in the 1st infantry Division Korean War era.
In the early 1950’s Jim worked with his family in the operation of Masi’s Pizza and Bowling Alley in downtown West Dundee at 93 W. Main St. He was an excellent bowler and participated and placed in many tournaments.
In 1965, Masi began a career in real estate. His uncle, Floyd Falese, had purchased four farms and began developing homes on them for what would become the community of Sleepy Hollow. Masi’s uncle tapped Masi to serve as a salesman to show families from Chicago the benefits of living in a more peaceful setting. It took off, and he was a real natural at it. People liked him and gravitated toward him. Business was different back then. It’s not like it is now with the Internet. You had to know people, and he was just really good at it. He was a fun person to be around and had a great personality.
After his uncle died in the early 1970s, Masi started his own brokerage, Masi Real Estate. Although Masi was licensed to sell both residential and commercial real estate, he largely sold homes during a 40-year-plus career, Finzel said.
“My father always joked, ‘I’ve been in more bedrooms legally than anyone else!’” his daughter Annamaria Finzel said. Jim’s career in Real Estate lasted over 40 years prior to his retirement in 2005.
Survivors include his daughter: Annamaria (Steven ) Finzel and his two granddaughters; Alicia and Stephanie Finzel. Other survivors include his brother; Philip as well as his nephews, nieces, many cousins and countless friends. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his daughter; Stella Masi in 1958 and his brother; Nicholas Masi. Burial with military honors was held at the Dundee Twp. East Cemetery in East Dundee. Memorials may be made to Journey Care Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington IL 60010.