James E. Oliff

February 25th, 2026

Wonderful memories of a wonderful man. He will be missed.
Mickey Norton

~Mickey Norton
~Friend, IL

February 25th, 2026

I had the honor and pleasure of serving on the CME Clearinghouse Risk Committee which Jim chaired. I learn so much from him. On a side note. I had the opportunity to play golf with Gill and him at the FIA Conferences in Boca Raton. Let’s just say we all had some good laughs and times in each round.

~Ronald Filler
~Industry Colleague, Nap;les, FL

February 25th, 2026

Whenever I asked Jimmy how he was doing, his familiar reply was, I’m having the time of my life.”
It captured his ironic wit and wonderful sense of humor- a perspective he carried even through difficult times. He was more than a colleague to me. He was a teacher, a mentor, and a trusted confidant. I am grateful for his wisdom, his kindness and how he approached life ,with humor and grace. He made a lasting difference in my life and I will remember him with respect and affection.
Howard Siegel, your co-chair

~Howard Siegel
~Friend, IL

February 25th, 2026

Dear Margo, Lee and I are so saddened at the news of Jimmy’s passing. He was such a great guy and fought so hard. Our sincere condolences to you and your family. He will be so very missed, but his memory will live on. We’re out of town until beginning of April, but would love to connect with you when we return. May his memory be for a blessing.

~Lee and Ellen Gussin
~friends, Highland Park

February 25th, 2026

Jimmy was a mentor and big supporter for the international growth of market infrastructure. As a trusted board member, his experience, humor and counsel proved invaluable. Jimmy was generous with his time, and always willing to consider new ideas. A true legend!

~Dave Feltes
~former colleague, London UK

February 25th, 2026

I don’t usually include my Roman numeral after my name, but to Jimmy I was always ‘Johnny Three Sticks’ so I had to. Mr.Oliff was a fabulous leader of what, in his lifetime, transformed into a global institution of unparalleled repute. He was instrumental in the development of the CME Clearing House and the protection of its financial integrity. It was my honor to serve for many years under his leadership first as staff and later as a member of the Clearing House Risk Advisory Committee which Jimmy chaired. He was always firm, fair and caring. I remember well the days when I would go down to the trading floor, and pull him out of the British Pound pit to go over some obscure topic on the Clearing House Committee agenda. Never a harsh word for pulling him away from his livelihood, and always thoughtful insight into complex issues. I remember his father as well and certainly the apple did not fall far from the tree. Oliff made many important contributions to the financial services industry which will be long remembered. He will be missed. Always a kind word, a keen insight, a tension breaking sense of humor and treating everyone, fellow member, staff, clerk, whomever with dignity and respect. His memory will always be a fond blessing.

~John P Davidson III
~Colleague, Scarsdale, New York

February 25th, 2026

FILO was such a great guy. He and I were sometimes on opposite sides of issues, but we were great friends. I truly appreciated his sense of humor, his counsel, his willingness to listen, his intellect, and his patience. Not many could have accomplished what he accomplished. Where his true genius availed itself was in running the strategic planning committee. He invited me to be a part of it. He was inclusive. CME wouldn’t have done what it did without him. He was so integral to it. God bless you all. I am sure you are sad today. Jimmy was so loved by so many. I hope that the light he brought to the world, and the light that shone back on him, warms your hearts forever. He was a great friend and a great man. We were all lucky to have been in his life. A mensch, if you will. Best Jeff Carter (CR)

~Jeffrey Carter
~Friend, Las Vegas, NV