GLENCOE, ILLINOIS — The city of Chicago, the electrical distribution industry, and millions of baseball fans worldwide are mourning the loss of James Rodney Anixter. Affectionately known globally as “The Pink Hat Guy” behind home plate at Wrigley Field, Jim passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. He was 82 years old.
Beloved husband and best friend of Lesley (nee Bass) for 55 wonderful years, Jim was a legendary corporate pioneer, a Hall of Fame athlete, and an irreplaceable fixture of Chicago sports history.
Full Legal Name : James Rodney Anixter
Iconic Moniker : "The Pink Hat Guy"
Date of Passing : Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Hometown Residence : Glencoe, Illinois (Longtime Chicago Original)
Corporate Foundations : Executive VP of Anixter Brothers (22 Years)
Founder of AZ Wire and Cable (Established 1988)
Athletic Distinctions : Illinois Softball Hall of Fame Inductee
Wrigley Field Legacy : 60-Year Chicago Cubs Season Ticket Holder (Since 1966)
Funeral Service Date : Friday, July 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM
Service Location : Am Shalom Synagogue, Glencoe, IL
Interment Facility : Private Burial at Shalom Memorial Park
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The Story Behind the Pink Hat: A 60-Year Wrigley Field Legend
While Jim was an incredibly successful industrialist, to millions of television viewers and generations of baseball fans, he was simply “The Pink Hat Guy.”
Sitting in his coveted front-row seat directly behind home plate, his bright pink baseball cap became as integral a symbol of Wrigley Field as the ivy on the outfield walls.
The Evolution of a Chicago Cubs Cultural Phenomenon
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[ 1966 ] --> Jim purchases his very first Chicago Cubs season tickets.
[ 1967 ] --> Secures permanent front-row tickets directly behind home plate.
[ 1990 ] --> Wears the bright pink cap to the MLB All-Star Game on a playful
promise to his wife, Lesley, so she could spot him on TV.
[ Legacy ]-> The cap becomes a permanent trademark across decades of historic
Cubs pennant runs and the iconic 2016 World Series victory.
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The trademark pink hat began as a playful romantic promise to his wife, Lesley, guaranteeing she could easily spot him on the broadcast, know he was exactly where he claimed to be, and joke that he wasn’t “fooling around.” Following the 1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the hat became a permanent part of his identity.
Over sixty years, Jim welcomed thousands of fans into his section, regularly gifting free premium tickets to delivery drivers, stadium staff, and everyday people, living by the rule that “your money doesn’t spend at my bank.”
A Visionary Leader in the Electrical Distribution Industry
Beyond his fame in the sports world, Jim was an elite, generational force in American commerce. He brought intense diligence, integrity, and relationship-driven leadership to the electrical supply sector:
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Anixter Brothers: Jim proudly served as the Executive Vice President of Anixter Brothers for 22 years, helping scale the organization into an international powerhouse.
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AZ Wire and Cable: In 1988, he leveraged his profound industry knowledge to found AZ Wire and Cable. He built the company into a highly successful, independent family business grounded in hard work and enduring customer loyalty.
A gifted athlete outside the office, Jim’s competitive drive also earned him an induction into the Illinois Softball Hall of Fame, proving his deep passion for the game at both amateur and professional levels.
Family Lineage and Private Tributes
Above his massive corporate success and sports notoriety, Jim’s greatest pride was his family. He was a devoted son of the late Gail and Alan Anixter, and dear brother of the late Scott Anixter.
His steadfast love remains a source of eternal strength for his surviving lineage:
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Children: Darren (Michelle) Anixter, Todd (Jessica) Anixter, Eric Anixter (and fiancée Hannah Rosenfeld), and Courtney Anixter (AJ Golding).
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Grandchildren: Cherished Grandpa “Pink” to Evan (Katie), Grant, Austin, Tyler, and Jayden Anixter, as well as Watts, Stiles, and Ronette Golding.
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Extended Family: Caring brother-in-law of the late Susan (Larry) Rosen, and adored cousin and lifelong brother-figure to Jeffrey Annenberg.
Funeral Service, Shiva, and Memorial Donation Directives
The Anixter family will welcome colleagues, friends, and the community to honor Jim’s extraordinary life of purpose, laughter, and unparalleled generosity.
🏛️ Service and Shiva Logistics
Synagogue Memorial Service: A formal celebration of life will take place on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM at Am Shalom, located at 840 Vernon Avenue, Glencoe, IL 60022.
Interment Details: The burial service at Shalom Memorial Park will remain strictly private for immediate family members.
Shiva Information: The family will receive condolence calls and observe Shiva directly at Am Shalom on Friday immediately following the synagogue service until 5:00 PM.
Charitable Tributes: In honor of Jim’s legacy and in keeping with the tradition of his famous pink hat, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Jewish United Fund of Chicago (JUF).