James “Jim” or “Bubba” Titgemeyer died peacefully on October 5, 2020 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St.Petersburg, Florida at the age of 81. Jim is survived by his daughter Connie Aguero (Mike Dills) of Euclid, OH; son Mike (Tia) Titgemeyer of Annapolis, MD; his granddaughters Caitlin Aguero & Margot and Emma Titgemeyer; and his brother Bill (Patty) Titgemeyer of Oakland, Ontario. He is preceded in death by his parents Elton Frederick and Alice Irene (Brook) Titgemeyer and his cherished wife Claire Elizabeth (Markell) Titgemeyer.

Jim was born on August 11, 1939 in Cleveland, OH. He grew up on the Chagrin River where his passion for boating began. Rowing on the river was just part of playing in the backyard. His family was active boating at the Mentor Harbor Yachting Club, where he attended Crow’s Nest Sailing Camp. This began his lifelong passion for sailboat racing.

He attended Western Reserve University where he joined the Lambda Chi fraternity and met the love of his life, Claire Elizabeth Markell. Jim and Claire were married September 3, 1960. Jim introduced Claire to sailing and she fell in love with sailing too. They raised their children Connie and Mikie on the lagoon in Mentor, joined the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club and were active with the Crow’s Nest Sailing Camp for children. JIm, along with his family raced sailboats competitively, starting out in a 17’ Thistle sailboat traveling with camper and sailboat to race in regattas together.

Jim was a keen salesman and could not resist a great deal on a boat or car. Buying and selling boats and cars became a hobby. So, as the kids grew, the sailboats got bigger. He raced their C&C sailboats, NightTrain, all over Lake Erie, and welcomed many friends to join the family as crew over the years.

When the kids grew up and got their own boat, Jim wanted to stay involved in sailboat racing. He bought a powerboat and both he and Claire became US Sailing Certified Professional Race Officers. He joined Edgewater Yacht Club and was instrumental in refining the EYC Race Program and Cleveland Race Week, as well as many regattas on the south shore of Lake Erie ,including the I-LYA Bay Week at Put-in-Bay. He traveled from Buffalo to Annapolis to Key West sharing his talents as a PRO (Professional Race Officer). Jim was a mentor to countless aspiring race managers and became an icon in the sailboat racing circuit throughout the eastern United States. From Cleveland to Key West, he was well known for excellent race management. His greatest pleasure was giving back to the sailors and supporting the sport he loved.

He survived 8 long years without his greatest love - Claire…Mom…Mimsie… They are finally reunited, and we can ALL be comforted with that knowledge!

Jim was very passionate about sailing and youth sailing in particular. Donations, in his memory, can be made to:

Edgewater Youth Sailing Foundation Mail checks payable to EYSF c/o Edgewater Yacht Club 6700 Memeorial Shoreway NW Cleveland, OH 44102

Olivia Constants Foundation https://www.oliviaconstants.org

A Celebration of Life will be planned for the Summer of 2021

Interment South Kirtland Cemetery