Timothy James "TJ" Held

Timothy James Held, 67, died July 23rd at The Laurels of Defiance, where he was a resident since 2012. His health began declining recently. 

Timothy was born June 11, 1958 in Defiance to Gerald and Mary Held. He attended Tinora High School, but instead of completing his senior year with the class of 1976, he joined the United States Navy when he was only 17 years old. In October 1976 he graduated from Great Lakes Naval Training in Illinois. After graduation he served on the WWII fleet oiler, U.S.S. Ponchatoula as a boiler operator/fireman, stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii and Subic Bay in the Philippines. He was also deployed to the Western Pacific in various countries and ports.

After leaving the Navy, Tim spent many years deep-sea fishing along the East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hawaii. When he was living in Tarpon Springs, Florida, he pulled a small houseboat behind his small fishing vessel. He earned his commercial Captain's license and captained several shrimp, crab and lobster boats.

Those who visited him in Tarpon Springs were treated to buckets of Stone Crab at the hotel. He boiled them on his Coleman stove on the hotel patio. He said all he needed was seafood, a boiling pot, butter and beer. Afterwards, he told his guests how many hundreds of dollars of seafood they had all eaten. He loved nature and lived modestly in his adult life. 

On February 3, 2003, Tim was assaulted by a group of locals at the South Side Bar. The assailants were never prosecuted, although there were several witnesses; they refused to cooperate with law enforcement. Tim flat-lined several times and spent weeks on life support. He fought his way out of a coma and despite the Traumatic Brain injury, he endured several months of rehab and learned to walk, talk, and eat on his own. 

He eventually lived with his sister, Jane Cox and brother-in-law Orville "Bud" Cox and nieces Priscilla and Vanessa Cox in their Defiance home. Together, he was able to relearn some of the skills he lost. His nieces and friends fondly remember spending time with him and being often awakened at 3:00 am to cook for him. Although it was very challenging and frustrating for him to live without the freedoms he once had, he remained unfettered by bitterness. He often said that he could forgive his assailants, but wished that they would tell him they were sorry. He never received justice or an apology.

Tim worked at Olson's Cold Storage, Nelson's Tree Service, Asplundh, Sauder Woodworking, and then at Quadco in Stryker, Ohio after his injury. He was very social with his coworkers, caregivers, and visitors at The Laurels. Tim's passing leaves an empty spot at The Laurels and he will be fondly remembered by both staff and visitors.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 30th at St. John Catholic Church in Defiance, with Fr David Cirata and Fr Tom Held officiating. An additional hour of visitation will be at the funeral home before the service at 10:00 am. Tim will be laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Held, grandparents, George F. Jr. and Anna Held, William Sr. and Florence Josephine Fronk, his brothers-in-law, Orville "Bud" Cox, Kevin Cinelli, and sister-in-law, Rose Beth McCarthy Held.

He is survived by his sister and guardian Jane Cox of Defiance, and sisters, Juliet Held Mosier of Montpelier, Aimee Cinelli of Lake Linden, MI, and brother Joseph Held Sr. of Copper City, MI, eight nieces and nephews, two great-nephews, and a great-niece, Sydney Cruey of McClure whom he adored and looked forward to her visits. His stepmother, Rosalie Held also survives.
  
Memorials are suggested to The Laurels of Defiance. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com

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