James Vincent Yastrzemsky

1949 - 2015

James Vincent Yastrzemsky, 65, of Baltimore, formerly of Westminster, died of cancer on April 19, 2015 at Stella Maris Hospice. Born September 22, 1949 in Baltimore, he was the son of Gloria Palumbo Britt of Hanover, PA and the late John Yastrzemsky. He was the loving and loyal husband for 34 years of the late Susan E. Yastrzemsky, who died September 1, 2004. Surviving in addition to his mother are daughter and son-in-law Jennifer Nicole and Neil Myers of Hanover, PA; son and daughter-in-law Lieutenant Colonel (U.S.Army) James Ross and Coren Yastrzemsky of Baltimore; grandchildren Nicolas Edward and Abigayle Grace Myers of Hanover, PA and Francis Susan Yastrzemsky of Baltimore; and loving companion Terry Jean Ryan of Baltimore. Most recently, Jim was Vice President of N. J. Myers & Son, Inc., working with his daughter and son-in-law for the past ten years as a project manager and establishing design-build contracting and construction management services. Prior to that, he was the founder and owner of Yastrzemsky Construction Corporation for over 25 years. He also worked as a senior project manager for the State of Maryland and Dustin Construction. He graduated from Cardinal Gibbons High School in 1967, where he lettered in varsity basketball and cross-country and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also an Eagle Scout. After a short stint with the FBI, he voluntarily enlisted and served proudly in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Vietnam era as a combat engineer paratrooper and parachute rigger. Jim truly enjoyed his work with a passion. Sparked by his grandfather, James "Pop" Palumbo who was a developer and builder himself, Jim became an avid builder of all things as a young man ranging from simple models such as the "Visible V8" engine "all the way" to custom homes and high-rise buildings. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching and teaching everyone to include his employees, who affectionately nicknamed him the "General". A self-made professional businessman, he was always continuing to learn throughout his lifetime. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, snow skiing, exploring Baltimore City living, and spending time with his family and friends. He was an optimist at heart and always approached obstacles as a challenge to face head on. The family will receive friends on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 pm at the Pritts Funeral Home and Chapel, 412 Washington Rd.,Westminster. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on TUESDAY at 11 am. Officiating will be Deacon Joe Cinquino of St. John Catholic Church. Interment with military honors will follow in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Stella Maris Hospice, 2300 Dulaney Valley Rd. #2, Timonium, MD 21093 or to Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr., Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. Online condolences may be sent to www.prittsfuneralhome.com "Airborne- All the Way!"