James F. Bartkowski

James F. Bartkowski ("Pop") passed away on April 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
James was born in Wilmington, Delaware on January 10, 1946, to Leonard Bartkowski and Wanda Bartkowski (Gulczynski); he was the youngest of twelve children. James was a graduate of St. Hedwig Elementary School and Salesianum High School and was an auto worker at Chrysler for over 30 years.
James had a never-ending love for his family, especially his grandsons ("The sky is purple if my grandsons say it's purple!"). He was an avid sports lover, often watching the Phillies and Eagles, or Eagles and Sixers at the same time, switching channels back and forth. His favorite sport though, was watching his grandsons play baseball. He hardly ever missed a game and was the best fan-coach ever!
James was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Bartkowski (Darby) of 49 years, and his brothers, Leonard (Phyllis), Eugene, Richard, John, Joseph (Dorothy), Stanley, and Frank, and his sisters Marie Mousley (Walter), Antoinette ("Toni") Ivanitch (Nicholas), and Sr. Marie Victoria Bartkowski.
James is survived by his daughters, Sheila O'Hara (Christopher) and Jill Walker (David Sr.); his beloved grandsons David Jr. (Kaitlyn), Alexander Godwin and Dylan Walker; his great granddaughter Emma; his brother Bill and wife Marianne Bartkowski, his sister Sr. Lisa Di Sabatino, and sisters-in-law Nonni, JoAnne, Theresa and Martha, and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at Corpus Christi R.C. Church, 903 New Road, Wilmington DE 19805 on Thursday., April 24 at 11:00am. Friends may call at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805 on Wednesday, April 23 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Interment will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Delaware Hospice, 630 Churchmans Road, Suite 200, Newark, DE 19702.