James D. "Big Jim" Kernozek

Montville - A titan has left us. Our beloved James D. "Big Jim" Kernozek of Uncasville, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, crossed over on Aug. 19, 2013. He went as he lived, larger than life, and with the biggest heart of any man around.

He was born on July 14, 1941, to the late Harry J. Kernozek and Kathlyn (Crotty) Kernozek. When Jim was 14, his younger sister, the late Donna Kernozek Vaill introduced her big brother to her friend. That was the night that Jim met his beloved "child bride", Carol A. (Raymond) Kernozek. She survives him. They celebrated their 52nd anniversary this past January.

Jim and Carol were blessed with a large family, daughter, Loriann Smith and her partner, Larry Mahoney, granddaughter, Melanie L. Smith, great-grandson, James J. Smith, granddaughter, Jessie M. Smith (deceased), great-granddaughter, Maliya P. Dean, great-grandson, Leo G. Williams IV; son, James D. Kernozek Jr. and his wife, Leslie Cutler Kernozek, granddaughter, Lindsey M. Kernozek, great-grandson, Gunner J. Kernozek, granddaughter, Kolby E. Kernozek; daughter, Barbara J. Morales and her husband, Omar Morales, grandsons, Johnathan D. Cogoli and Joshua D. Cogoli, granddaughter, Jolene D. Cogoli; daughter, Daphne L. Volkmar and her husband, Peter T. Volkmar, granddaughters, Stacy K. Ray (deceased), Violet E. Ray, Margaret C. Ray Grieves and her husband, Charles Grieves, and granddaughter of his heart, Kelly Credit; and many cousins, extended family and friends surviving.

Big Jim was a generous man. There were countless times that family members, friends, and even strangers came under his wing. No one ever left his table hungry, if you had no place to sleep, he made room in his full to bursting home, if you were down, he was the first one to offer a hand up. He was a prankster with a big smile, laugh, and heart.

Big Jim attended the technical school for drafting but ending up being a welder as well. His senior project was the making of a still. His granddaughters had expressed many times wanting to live off the land and would need to make grandpa give up his secrets of so long ago. He would regale the grandchild with tales of yesteryear and his escapades. He never put himself in the hero's light, but when you listened to his stories, you could hear the love and help he lavished on all around him.

From school he went on to work in the shipyards at GDEB in Groton, Quincy, Mass., and Oregon. Jim and Carol realized they were New Englanders through and through and came back to Connecticut to raise the children and be close to their parents. Big Jim owned a gas station, worked at several auto salvage yards before finally opening his own place, Big Jim's Auto Salvage in Essex. With dreams of retirement, he sold his shop but found he was too restless to slow down. He started his second career back in the town he grew up in, coming home to Montville. Any and all residents saw him when they came to the transfer station. He was the big guy at the gate with a smile and a ready word for all. He will be truly missed.

The family offers special thanks and gratitude to the staff of The William W. Backus Hospital and the ultimate care givers of Center for Hospice Care. You gave him his peace and dignity for which we are forever grateful.

There will be a celebration of Big Jim's life from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2013, at Camp Oakdale. Come one, come all to share in our tribute to a special person.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to the Center for Hospice Care Southeast Connecticut, 227 Dunham St., Norwich, CT 06360.