James W. Drozdowski, 93, U.S. Navy Veteran
James W. Drozdowski, 93, of Lorain, died Sunday October 18, 2015 at Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph in Lorain after a brief illness.
He was born September 13, 1922 in Amherst and had been a lifelong Lorain area resident.
James graduated from Amherst High School (Marion L. Steele) where he lettered in baseball. He received a tryout letter from the Chicago White Sox but was drafted into the US Navy at the start of World War II. He served with the US Navy during World War II aboard the Navy Destroyer USS Taussig (DD 746) as a torpedo man second class. His crew was the first to be assigned to this newly commissioned destroyer. He served in the Pacific Theater and saw action at Pearl Harbor, Okinawa and Leyte Gulf. He was awarded the American Area Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon with 5 Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Star and the World War II Victory Medal.
James worked at Columbia Gas in Lorain as Area Plant Supervisor where he was known as “Big Jim” retiring after 33 years.
He was a member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Lorain where he was very active in the church and was a member of the St. Stanislaus Holy Name Society. He was a current member of St. Peter Parish in Lorain.
Jim was an avid golfer and bowler and participated in bowling leagues at Saxon Club, Park Lanes and Rebman Recreation. He enjoyed traveling, his pet cats and feeding the birds and squirrels.
He is survived by his children: Janet Bodi (John), Richard Drozdowski (Joyce), James M. Drozdowski (Cheryl), Patricia Drozdowski and Cynthia Burks (Bradley), 12 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Henrietta Drozdowski (nee Kufel) in 1972, second wife Melazyn “Mel” Drozdowski (nee Suchocki) in 2012, parents Joseph & Antoinina Drozdowski (nee Lezniak) and 12 brothers & sisters.
The family will receive friends Tuesday 4-7 pm at the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Ave, Lorain. Additional viewing will be held on Wednesday from 10:30 am until 11:00 am at St. Peter Parish, 3501 Oberlin Ave, Lorain. The mass of Christian Burial will follow Wednesday at 11:00 am in the church with the Rev. Craig Hovanec, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Sorrowful Mother Shrine, 4106 OH-269, Bellevue, OH 44811.
Online condolences can be made at www.gluvna.net.