James Richard Gaskill

James Robert Gaskill age 81 of Duluth, passed away peacefully on the 4th of July, 2024. He was born on June 12, 1943 to parents, James & Dolores (Ranzinger) Gaskill. Jim was born and raised in Duluth. He attended St. James Catholic School, until he was kicked out in the 6th grade. He attended vocational school to become a mechanic and got a job working at Krenzen Cadilliac. When Honda entered the automotive market, Krenzen’s sent him to California to learn the mechanics of this new, foreign car. Jim was let go from Krenzen’s shortly after. This gave him the motivation to start his own business, Jimmy’s Nuts and Bolts. Humble beginnings, his first garage was made of dirt floors, with a grease pit dug out by hand. Jim was a man for the people. He was extremely generous with his time and knowledge. He mentored many kids in the neighborhood, especially Billy Cusick and Jeff Kilby. As his business grew, so did his garage, and the number of people he positively influenced. As much as Jim loved working on cars, he loved racing them more. Jim was so good at racing; he was inducted into the Superior Speedway Hall of Fame. Many of Jim’s racecars were sponsored by his lifelong friend, John Dandrea. Above all, Jim loved his family. He spent 36 years of courtship with Jill Kilby, until her untimely passing in 2012. After many years, Jim reconnected with his ex-wife, Irene. Jim was a stand-up guy, and always did right by people. So much so, he was acknowledged in Mayor Don Ness’s book, “Hillsider: Snapshots of a Curious Political Journey”. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tommy Gaskill; son, James M. Gaskill; and life-partner, Jill Kilby. He is survived by his sons, Guy Gaskill and Jamie St. Germaine; daughter, Julie Schulz; grandchildren, Jenna, Jeremy, Joe, Jake, Nick, Joe, Megan, and Brandon; many great-grandchildren; partner, Irene Gaskill; sisters, Kathleen Gaskill-Paquette and Margie Riggio; the Kilby kids he treated as his own, Jeff, Jerry, Jason, and Julie; and his first wife, Ann Chiovitte. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am in Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home, 3208 W 3rd Street, Duluth. Interment at Oneota Cemetery with a reception to follow at VIP Pizza in Superior.