Nov,
20, 1927 - March 6, 2010SOUTH BEND - James R. Martinkowski, 82, of South Bend, IN, passed away at 3:45 a.m. Saturday, March 6, 2010, in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. Jim was born on November 20, 1927, in South Bend, to Stanley and Marie (Kaczmierczak) Martinkowski, and was a lifelong resident. On June 8, 1957, he married Helen E. Nagy, who survives. Other survivors include his daughter, Sherry I. Martinkowski of South Bend, IN; his son, James S. Martinkowski of Chicago, IL; his sister, Virginia Sciba of South Bend, IN; and two nephews, Daniel Sciba and John (MaryJane) Sciba. His brother, Stanley Martinkowski, preceded him in death. Jim retired from Allied-Signal and had also been employed by Associates, Studebaker, Special Engineering, and Sullair Corporation of Michigan City, IN. Jim was a United States Army veteran. He was a member of St. Matthew's Parish, the Knights of Columbus Council #5521 and PNA Lodge #83. Jim was an avid New York Yankees fan-win or lose, they were his team. He watched the Chicago Cubs games because his wife is a Cubs fan. He also enjoyed Notre Dame football and men and women's basketball. Over the years, he bowled at many of the South Bend lanes, his favorite being PNA. Jim was a fantastic cook, and did all the cooking at home. He also enjoyed gardening, yard work and updating his home. Jim was always there for family and friends, always doing more than they asked or needed from him. He always put others before himself, even when he was tired. A loving husband and father, a good friend to many, Jim was a very special person. In his quiet and calm way, he loved, touched and inspired us, and he will be greatly missed. At this time, as we grieve his loss, he would say to us: Let the memory of me be a happy one, let my memory leave an afterglow of smiles when day is done. Remember happy times, laughing times and bright, sunny days. Those who grieve, dry your tears; hold on to the happy memories that I leave behind. Friends may call from 2 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a parish Rosary will be prayed at 4:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in St. Matthew's Cathedral. Family and friends may gather at the Kaniewski Funeral Home around 9 AM for their final goodbyes and the procession to St. Matthew's Cathedral for 10 AM Mass. The family wishes to thank Dr. Bilal Ansari along with his associates and staff, Dr. Daniel Scherb, Dr. John Jacobs, and all the staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and Memorial Hospital. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. To send online condolences, please visit Kaniewski.com.