James J. McKenzie

1945 - 2021

James John McKenzie, 76, a resident of Swoyersville, passed into eternal life peacefully Sunday evening, March 14, 2021, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He looked forward to rejoining his beloved wife, Christine Olenick McKenzie, who passed away April 24, 1999, at the age of 48. Jimmy loved Christine with every ounce of his soul, and he was blessed to share 26 years of marriage with her.

Born Jan. 4, 1945, in Wilkes-Barre, James was one of three children born to the late Vincent and Josephine Parulski McKenzie.

Raised in Warrior Run, Jimmy was a graduate of E.L. Meyers High School, Class of 1962.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Jimmy honorably served his country for over three years as a shipfitter-pipefitter during the Vietnam War. During his time of service, he was stationed aboard the USS Ingraham, and was decorated with the Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star and the National Service Defense Medal.

Prior to his retirement, Jimmy was employed as a plumber with the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Union, Local 524, Scranton. He was a hard worker who led by example and showed his family the value of working hard to attain everything you want and need. A man of great faith and trust in God, Jimmy was a longtime member of the former Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville. Following the consolidation of his church, he became a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

Jimmy truly loved life and made the most out of every day. He was an accomplished accordionist who had a great appreciation for music, especially polkas. He enjoyed fishing; tending to his vegetable and flower gardens; keeping an immaculate home both inside and out; decorating for the holiday's; and entertaining and hosting cook-outs for his family and friends. He was also an awesome "Dance Dad" - from sewing costumes, to building props, to occasionally dancing at a few events.

In Jimmy's eyes, family was everything! His daughters were the light in his life; his grandchildren were the air he breathed; and as for his sons-in-law, although he found great joy in razzing them, he loved each of them for taking such good care of his girls. A loyal brother to his sister, Mary, and her daughter, Kerry and her family, he cherished the countless family dinners they shared at Mary's home throughout the years. He was also a faithful friend who touched many lives with his kind, outgoing personality. Although he will be missed beyond measure, there is joy in knowing he is finally reunited in Heaven with the one he longed to see for nearly 22 years, the love of his life, his beloved Christine!

Jimmy is survived by his five daughters, Tammie McKenzie and her husband, Joe Crooks, Aptos, Calif.; Jennifer McKenzie and her husband, Matthew Hernandez, Kingston; Jeanmarie Williams and her husband, Marc, Swoyersville; Carolyn Galenty and her husband, John, Wyoming; and Christina Kruchinsky and her husband, Mark, Swoyersville; his ten grandchildren, Kayla Capurro and her husband, Tony; Bailey Estrada and her husband, Jeff; Gage Hernandez; Isabel Williams; Sophie Williams; Kenzie Galenty; Kayla Kruchinsky; Mark Kruchinsky; Cole James McKenzie; and Alex Kruchinsky; his great-granddaughter, Presley Capurro; his brother, Frank McKenzie and his wife, Rose, Wilkes-Barre; his sister, Mary F. O'Brien, Warrior Run; as well as his nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted at 9:30 a.m. Monday from Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes St., Swoyersville, with the Rev. Joseph J. Pisaneschi, his pastor, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Twp., where military honors will be accorded by the U.S. Navy.

Family and friends are invited to attend Jimmy's viewings, which will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday and again from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

In keeping with federal, state and Diocesan guidelines, those attending the viewing and/or funeral Mass are required to wear a facial covering and observe social distancing. For information or to send the McKenzie family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home's website at www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

Flowers will be appreciated by the family; however, Jimmy would like it best if you shared a drink with a loved one or friend and toasted to his memory!