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| Planning commissioner dies in bike accident |
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| Written by John Saiz | Patterson Irrigator | |
| Monday, 11 August 2008 | |
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“(McCluskey) didn't really grow up in a small town, but I think he really, truly liked everything about small towns. He was that kind of guy.” — Bryan Bingham, friend of Jim McCluskey  Jim McCluskey
McCluskey had been a firefighter-engineer-paramedic with the Santa Clara County Fire Department for more than 20 years and served on the Patterson Planning Commission since 1993. City Hall employees called off two public meetings this week to pay tribute to McCluskey.  The remnants of the 2006 Yamaha motorcycle that struck and killed Patterson Planning Commission chairman Jim McClusky as he was riding his bicycle sit alongside Diablo Grande Parkway as vehicles drive by. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator The Stanislaus County coroner’s office had not released a cause of death as of press time Tuesday. Another motorcyclist accompanying Zuniga witnessed the crash. The CHP officer who was at the scene did not suspect drugs or alcohol were a factor in the accident. Those who knew McCluskey talked about a man that gave much of himself in both his personal and professional life. He started working with the Santa Clara department in 1986. “He’s a fireman — that in itself sums up who he is,” said Bryan Bingham, who shared McClusky’s love of the outdoors and cycling. “He lived to help people — and he was good at it.” Ken Kehmna, Santa Clara’s deputy fire chief, said McCluskey would often take special assignments and train others in his spare time. “Jim was a guy who was really in love with the fire service,” Kehmna said. “He really bought into the whole thing. He liked to be involved and liked to help. He was just that kind of guy.” Even though he was employed elsewhere, McCluskey was no stranger to the Patterson Fire Department. “Jim was a friend of ours and had been supportive of our fire department since I could remember,” Patterson Fire Chief Bill Kinnear said.  The remnants of the 2006 Yamaha motorcycle that struck and killed Patterson Planning Commission chairman Jim McClusky as he was riding his bicycle sit alongside Diablo Grande Parkway as vehicles drive by. Photo by Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator “He taught instructor classes so we could go back our departments (and teach others),” Kinnear said. McCluskey was also a longtime fixture on Patterson Planning Commission. He had most recently been chair of the five-person advisory body. “I tell you what, I sat next to Jim for three years,” Commissioner Luis Molina said. “He had a lot of pearls of wisdom and good advice, whether it was planning or life in general.” Both Molina and Simpson said they appreciated McCluskey’s efficient handling of city meetings. “He was always level-headed,” Simpson said. “He always ran a good meeting.” One of McCluskey’s pet issues was blight. Often, at the end of meetings he would bring up a list of homes and businesses that were either letting junk pile up or weeds grow wild. “Jim was good for that,” Molina said. “He’d just take a cruise around the neighborhood and identify blight.” McCluskey would often ride his bike into the Del Puerto Canyon, Bingham said. Of the two canyon roads close to Patterson, he said it’s surprising that the accident happened on Diablo Grande Parkway. “It’s just an odd place for that to happen,” he said. “It’s a relatively safe place. It’s way safer than (Del Puerto Canyon Road), because it’s so wide.” Though McCluskey, who came from the San Jose area, wasn’t a native to the West Side or to small town living, Bingham said both suited him perfectly. “He didn’t really grow up in a small town, but I think he really, truly liked everything there was to like about small towns,” Bingham said. “He was that kind of guy.” Irrigator Managing Editor James Leonard contributed to this report. To reach John Saiz, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Comments
(18)
i did not know Jim Mccluskey personally but he was a member of the patterson lions club along side my husband. My husband said he was a quiet guy and very nice.. Condolences to his family
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Having seen the wreckage yesterday and what was left of it, while on the way to the store brought a sadness and a sense of loss of someone I did not know. The papers said the motorcycle was doing 40 mph. That is hard for me to understand as Diablo Grande Parkway is used as a raceway by so many people always in a rush and flying and crossing the double line to pa*s people driving at normal speeds. My heart goes out to his family and all who knew him. So many bicyclists ride that highway and people need to take them into consideration. Slow down people you'll still get to where your going and a life will be spared because of it.
Votes: +1
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Mmm... so i get the phone call about 6:30 mon Evening about the accident. For me to get a call from a coworker after hours is never good. Work is work and leave it as that... Not the case here!
Votes: +2
Jim was so funny and silly and always caught us off guard!! So quiet at first then WOW he'd sneak up on us with some wacky joke or comment, much like Jennifer. They are the couple I adore. Both so funny and so much like eachother (in silly ways). My heart hit that rock bottom sinking feelin when i heard. Im so sorry you were takein from all of us that Adore, admire, appreciate, and loved you. report abuse
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I had the honor of knowing Jim as a patient at our clinic. We had several long, pleasant visits together and I will miss him. My heart goes out to Jennifer and their whole family.
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Jim was a good good man!!! I was lucky enough to grow up across the street from Jennifer and Jim. I would often enjoy the brief conversations I would have with him at the edge of my parents driveway as he walked his dogs. I moved away from home about 10 years ago but always would find myself engaging in a "edge of the driveway' conversation with jim whenever I'd come back to visit. I'll miss those converstations....my best goes to Jennifer, Chandler and the extended family!! -Kevin Scoles
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I've been around motorcycles all my life...I've never seen this kind of break-up occur at 40mph. I've seen street accidents and professional race track accidents...I've never seen this kind of damage at that low a speed. I hope that the CHP is investigating the accident & not just taking the friends word for it.
Votes: +3
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As a DPC resident we see this type of carnage all too often . Bicycles and motorcycles contribute to most of the emergency calls up here. A tragic warning for all to ride safely. My thoughts go out to the families involved.
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As a co-worker, friend and fellow hunter, I have had Jim in my life for many years. His loss is very hard for me, but there is a greater loss here, my boys also grew up around him. We took trips to our ranch in the mountains together, hunted together and enjoyed the outdoors together.
Votes: +2
Jim's pa*sing is not just a loss for my family but is a loss for many families as Jim did so much for his community in Patterson and in the Santa Clara valley where we are employed. My thoughts are with Jennifer, kids and his brother and sister. All our love - The Black family report abuse
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I didn't know Jim personally but his wife Jennifer worked here at Golden Valley. All the GVHC staff is extending their condolences to Jennifer.
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Thats my point in my first post
Votes: +1
 that motorcycle had to be going faster than 40. The wreckage when I saw it was so spread out. Cars tailgate forcing others to go faster, and they never once slow down for anything not animal nor humans. Definitely needs further investigating. A life was taken here and most unfortunately someone who meant so much to so many. Its sad, even sadder is leaving the pieces of bike there for others to have to be reminded of everyday. report abuse
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i did not know jim but i feel very sad for his famiy..
Votes: +0
i do like to say that i find 40mph hard to believe. day in and day out coming up and down the hill i see speeders all day! one day a man in a bmw roadster blew by me at least at 80mph and gave me the middle finger. i had my children in the car i know he could see my babies in their carseats. funny thing is by the time i arrive at the gate house he still was getting checked in! jerk!! like the comment said above you will get there when you get there. people on bikes enjoying the ride on d.g or anywhere for that matter should not have to fear what has taken place. please can the police get the parts of the accident up it must be hard for the family and friends to know that it's there. may jim's soul rest in peace..the great's always go first. report abuse
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I've seen a few accident myself during my years of riding but I've NEVER seen a motorcycle fall apart like this at such a low speed. Lets hope the CHP does a thorough investigation.
Votes: +1
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I had known Jim for just a year now, and there wasn't one moment of it that I didn't enjoy. I have a few family members, along with family friends that worked with Jim at his Santa clara County Fire station 3. Having just graduated from Los Gatos High this year, I am on my way to start my trainning as a firefighter at Mission College. Jim played the biggest part in helping me get what I needed in order to become a volunteer firefighter for Santa Clara County. He was always helping me firgure out what it was that i needed, and would invite me on a regular basis to the fire station. Before school I would always stop and talk to Jim along with some of his other co-workers, after they had just finished thier moarning bike ride. Jim was always so happy and eager to tell me how he got to be a part in ordering all the special features on the new firetruck that his station had just gotten. Just recently I was at the staion, and me and Jim sat down to look over the departments yearbook. Jim pointed out various pictures that he had taken,and explain to me how some of the drills worked. I will never forget Jim, and hope that he looks down and protects me someday when I become a firefighter. Rescue 3. Eric Rinna
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I agree with the others who have posted here regarding the motorcycle speeding and NOT going the speed limit of 40mph. As a resident of Diablo Grande, I've seen many speeders coming and going that have no regard for human or animal life whatsoever. If anyone sees speeders and are able to copy their license plates, please do so. Then hand them over to the guard shack as well as HOA. We need to implement a process that gives out warnings to those that have been speeding. Ideally, we need to have large speed bumps all along the DG parkway. This may be the only way to stop speeders. I know that translates to money and who is going to pay for this to be done. It's worth presenting to the city of Patterson and DG owners (whoever that is going to be) for them to take a look at and come to some agreement how the cost will be shared. This will save lives. My condolences and prayers to Jim's family.
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 written by Jasaphra Falce , August 20, 2008
I was blessed to get to know Jim when he was by my dad's side many years ago...my dad was a firefighter w/Jim, but is now paralyzed due to a freak accident at the firehouse. Jim was there for my dad through everything and I know they had always been such close friends. This loss is close to my heart, as I knew him as such a warm and caring man who always found the funny things to say at just the right time!
Votes: +0
 My prayers and thoughts are with Jennifer and the rest of the family. Thank you, Jim, for being such a great friend in my dad's life...and thank you, Jim and Jennifer, for welcoming me into your friendship as well! report abuse
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I always liked the way Jim conducted the meetings in such a Professional way....I got to see that on several occasions and also when the Planning Commission would work with the City Council...
My respect for this wonderful family man and Firefighter will be never-ending...
May Our Heavenly Father Bless his family, take care of them, and give Peace and strength to them and his friends always...