3Silent Jimmy Anest was born in 1924 to immigrant parents from Greece and grew up on the Eastside of NYC. He was of normal birth, but unfortunately at five years old developed spinal meningitis then later became profoundly deaf. Jimmy went to several schools for the deaf and had friends who were both hearing and deaf. He learned how to lip-read and use American Sign Language.

One running theme in Jimmy's life was that he struggled with people treating him fairly. He was often made fun of because of his disability. Jimmy lived with deafness; however, despite himself, became a professional boxer in the 1940s, and successful businessman, even though he faced personal troubles and discrimination in the hearing world. Jimmy exhibited his tenacity for life in and out of the ring. His influence has helped his family and friends to press on when things got hard, to fight the good fight, and never give up!