James Woodruff Sibal

James Woodruff Sibal departed this world on December 9, 2019. He is survived by his ex-wife Tara Hotard Sibal, his children Olivia Grace (11) and Ian James (8), his mother, Ellen Keats Stifler of Baltimore, his father, John W. Sibal and his step mother, Lisa Newman Sibal of New Orleans, his sisters, Allison Baker (Scott) of Baltimore and Sarah Stifler of Los Angeles and his brother William Stifler (Bre) of Baltimore. He was pre-deceased by his step father William Stifler. He is also survived by two grandmothers and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
James was born in New Orleans on May 5, 1978 and moved to Baltimore as a young child. He was a 1996 graduate of Gilman School in Baltimore where he played football. He also played bass guitar in a rock band. He attended Rhodes College in Memphis before leaving for New Orleans to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a chef in a fine dining restaurant. He trained under Ella Brennan and Jamie Shannon at Commander’s Palace before continuing on to cook at numerous other restaurants including Restaurant August, Indigo and 1179, where he served as Executive Chef from 2002 to 2004. James will always be remembered for his infectious smile, quick wit and his deep affection for his children.
A private funeral service was held at Greenwood Funeral Home on December 16, 2019. A celebration of James’s life will take place in Baltimore in February 2020. Memorial contributions may be made to the 529 Fund established for his children at https://maryland529.com/Gift. Relatives and friends are invited to sign the guest book at www.greenwoodfh.com.

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