Funeral Details

James Paul Giles, born on December 6, 1943 in Bridgeton, New Jersey passed away peacefully in his Chicago home on December 19, 2023. He was the son of the late Mary Kathryn and James Henry Giles. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Kathleen; his daughters Susan, Ann, and Nancy, and six grandchildren.

James will be dearly missed by his family and friends for his wit, wisdom, kindness, and his homemade macaroni and cheese. He was generous and compassionate. He made friends everywhere he went.

James graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He served as a biologist in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps during the Vietnam War by testing food, laying the foundation for his career in food quality and safety. He went on to work for thirty-three years at Planters Life Savers as Vice President of Quality and Environmental Affairs. And later was President of Nabisco Brands Company, the intellectual property holding company of Nabisco Inc.

Through his career, he became an expert in cashew production and traveled extensively in India, Africa, and Vietnam. He was a board member of the American Peanut Council, Hazelnut Council, and the Cashew Council and an advisor to the African Cashew Council Alliance. He was instrumental in educating international factory leaders in safe practices in the nut industry, including eliminating the use of lead in food containers, eliminating the use of DDT in nut production, and the implementation of safe labor practices. He most recently worked as a consultant helping develop cashew production startups in many African countries. He was always very modest but proud of the important and beneficial work he did.

Throughout his career, James travelled the world and he passed his love of adventure and curiosity on to his children. As a boy in Bridgeton, James loved the local candy shop, and because he later worked for Life Savers, he was fondly known to the neighborhood kids as “The Candyman.” In his retirement years he was known mostly as Pop, a patient and dedicated grandfather who enjoyed cooking with his grandchildren and taking them to museums, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, 225 E, Chicago AVe., Chicago IL 60611 (luriechildrens.org).


Arrangements by Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 773.654.3744, www.midtownfunerals.com.