James Arthur Bychowski

FUNERAL HOME

Oehler Funeral Home - Des Plaines

2099 Miner Street

Des Plaines, Illinois

James Bychowski Obituary

Name: Visitation for James Arthur Bychowski
Start: 2023-06-29T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-06-30T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Oehler Funeral Home - Des Plaines

We are sad to announce the peaceful passing of a true gentlemen, James A. Bychowski, age 94, lifelong resident of Chicago, IL. He is preceded in death by his wife/love of his life of 63 years, Joan D. Bychowski and his amazing son, Jay. He leaves behind his grieving children, Janet (Don) Bauer, James (Barbara), Joyce (Michael) Hummel, Joseph (Susan), Jerome, Jeanne (James) Fox and Jon (Lisa), his cherished grandchildren, Jacqueline, Jean, Diane, Michelle, Leah, Kurt, Mathew, Erik, Jaylen, Nicholas, Sarah, Anthony and Marco, his precious great grandchildren, Derek, Aaron and Lillian and many endearing nieces and nephews. James was proud of his service to the United States Army as a Sargent First Class, his devotion and volunteerism to St. Viator's Church and gymnasium in Chicago and his 47 years as a pressman with Rotoprint and the Chicago Tribune from which he retired. He was a humble man who enjoyed handball, crossword puzzles and camping, but mostly spending time with his family. Visitation June 29, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner, Des Plaines, IL. Funeral mass will be held June 30, 2023 at 11:30am at St. Viator's Church, 4170 West Addison, Chicago, IL. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in his honor to Conquer Myasthenia Gravis, 4055 West Peterson Avenue, Suite 105, Chicago, Illinois 60646, myastheniagravis.org.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Jun. 28, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for James Bychowski

2 Entries

Beverly

June 28, 2023

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Acts 25:15

Jimmy Bychowski jr.

June 28, 2023

My Pops:

Unconditionally loved my mom and siblings
Got my big sister and me matching rocking horses
Played with the kids nightly before bed
Taught me how to make a kite from newsprint, sticks, string and fly it
Taught me how to paint a wall
Taught me how to build a pushcart with old buggy wheels, a few boards and rope steering
Taught me how to build a stand-up scooter from an old roller skate and two boards
Taught me how to hammer nails
Taught me how to insulate an attic
Taught me how to change a fuse
Let me use his tools to build a tree house with my friends
Taught me to swim
Played endless games of ping pong with us
Got a pool table for the family
Set up a swimming pool in our yard
Installed a tether ball in our yard
Took us camping every year for great adventures
Taught us how to build a perfect camp fire
Taught me how to change a flat tire on a bike and a car
Served as an usher and lector at Sunday masses
Started family roller skating nights at our grade school gymnasium with his fellow parishioners
Built balance beams, shoe cubbies, bingo night portable bar and rummage sale racks for our parish gymnasium
Build starting blocks for the YMCA swim team.
Became a certified official for YMCA swim meets
Ran the parish rummage sale with my mom and other parents
Played endless hours of catch with me and taught me how to throw and hit a base ball
Prayed with mom and the children nightly
Always had lots of presents under the Christmas tree
Often took one of our older cousins with us camping in addition to our family
Installed his own and helped neighbors with pouring new concrete walks, garage aprons, patios and stairs
Shoveled the sidewalks for the entire block
Changed the shingles and siding on his garage
Built awesome quadruple bunk beds and trundle beds for the kids
Always welcomed neighbor kids to play in our yard
Taught me how to do an oil change on a car
Recommended engineering colleges to me and helped with financial aid
Had "Candy time" treats for us on many nights before bed time
Made popcorn and let us stay up late to watch "Creature Features" on Saturday night
Started a parents club to monitor playground activities when recesses were turning into mass brawls
Helped the mother´s club set up the annual flea market
Hosted with my mom, the annual Christian Family Movement Christmas party at our house
Started Men´s poker night at the recreation center with other parishioners, and let my mom be the only lady to play
Refinished the St Viator´s handball court and organized a team of parishioners to refinish the gymnasium floor.
Was Strike Chairman for his fellow pressman and participated in negotiating a settlement with the Chicago Tribune
Taught me how to fold a pressman´s hat from a sheet of newsprint
Taught me how to rod a sewer line when clogged
Taught me how to build a stud wall and tile floors
Taught me how to play horseshoes
Cut corn out of Soybeans with me on hot summer days with corn knives
Kept a warm car running and had hot chocolate at the end of the block on sub-zero days when I did my paper route
Built me an awesome paper route cart with bicycle wheels
Got the fire department to set up water spray nozzles in St Viator´s parking lot on hot summer days
Taught me how to polish my Sunday shoes and wash a car
Taught me how to open doors and walk on the street side of the sidewalk when walking with a woman
Taught me to keep clean dresser drawers, hang up clothes and have a clutter free desk
Taught me how to keep cool by laying still and thinking cool thoughts on hot and humid nights
Taught me how to build an ice rink, snow sled ramps and igloos
Taught me how to help neighbors and clergy members with their home improvements
Taught me how to touch-type on a manual typewriter
Encouraged me invite my high school friends over for parties in my parents basement
Let me take the bus or train to about anywhere in the city
Organized our annual family picnic with his siblings
Played handball at the YMCA regularly
Took us to the bleachers in Wrigley Field
Took us to visit our grandparents weekly
Took the kids to the lakefront to ride bikes and watch the sun rise
Visited the Addison rocks with mom annually where they met.
Provided our family with a wonderful house and sent us to private schools.

These are just some of my memories. Pops was an amazing father, husband, brother and son.