James Anthony Nachtigal

James Anthony Nachtigal

March 3, 1935 - May 11, 2026

James Anthony Nachtigal passed away quietly on the morning of Monday, May 11, 2026, in Boynton Beach, Florida at the age of 91 after a year under the care of family and hospice. He was born the second child of the Slovenian family of Anthony Nachtigal and Mary Mah Nachtigal from Cleveland, Ohio and then Largo, Florida.

Jim graduated from Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio where he developed a love for sports, especially football and basketball. During his high school years, he worked as the roller coaster operator at Euclid Beach Park, so that he could spend time before and after work fishing from the dock.

After graduating from high school he joined the US Coast Guard and was stationed at the lighthouse in Two Rivers, Wisconsin where he met his wife of 70 years, Berdetta Marie Tompkins Nachtigal. Their first two children Ann Marie and Susan Jane were born and lived at the Rawley Point Lighthouse until six days after Susan’s birth when they ventured out in a snowstorm to live in Cleveland at which time Jim worked for the Cleveland Heights Police Department.

He worked hard throughout his life to provide for his growing family, and added three sons, Michael, Peter, and Andrew throughout the next few years. He also made time for enjoying his passions - camping, fishing, gardening and dancing. During his vacation time he’d drive 24 hours non-stop from Euclid, Ohio to an Indian Rocks Beach, Florida cottage with five kids in the back of a station wagon car to make the most of his holiday time.

Throughout Jim’s life one of his most constant passions was the call of the sea and his love for fishing. He spent countless hours and days fishing first out of Canada with his sons, then Largo, Florida then as far south as the Florida Keys catching as much as he could to sell to fish markets and local restaurants. He shared this passion with anyone who took an interest. He especially loved sharing it with three of his grandchildren, Ian-Michael, Morgan and Isaac Hebert.

Jim’s life was full of adventure moving farther and farther south as the years went by until he and Berdetta settled in Austin, Texas and Boynton Beach the last 20 years of their lives. One of his greatest loves was dancing the two step and western dancing at the Broken Spoke in Austin, Texas with his wife, Berdetta.

Survivors include his wife, Berdetta Marie Tompkins Nachtigal, his four surviving children Susan Jane Nachtigal (Franz-Josef Mueter), Michael Nachtigal, Peter Nachtigal, and Andrew Nachtigal, his grandchildren, Ian-Michael Hebert, Morgan Eugene Hebert, Isaac James Hebert (Mariia Arkhypova), Justin Nachtigal and Lauren Nachtigal La Brie (David La Brie). He’s also survived by three great grandchildren Solstice (Steph) Marie Hebert, Analiese Asherah Katerina Hebert and Aspen Nina Hebert. Also surviving is his sister Marge Nachtigal Murray. He is preceded in death by his daughter Ann Marie Nachtigal Grossman, his sister Geraldine Nachtigal Helwig and his parents, Anthony Nachtigal and Mary Mah Nachtigal.

With a toothpick in his mouth, boots on his feet, a cowboy hat on his head, Rod Stewart playing on his car deck and a fist pump with the saying, “If you’re happy, I’m happy,” Jim left this world a better place.

The family is having a private ceremony to celebrate his life.

If you are inclined, donations can be made to Vitas Hospice Care, Boynton Beach, Florida in his name.