James "Jim" Bednarowski

James John Bednarowski, son of the late Joseph and Martha (Kurowski) Bednarowski. James was born on March 29, 1931 in Menasha. He died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 26, 2024 at the age of 92. Jim attended public schools in Menasha, graduating from Menasha High School in 1949. He went straight to work at American National Can in Neenah, until his retirement in 1992. He also worked on the side as a mechanic. As a young man his love of motorcycles started and continued into his eighties. There was a period of time Jim enjoyed boating, and owned several small and large boats in his lifetime. Jim was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. He married Joyce Marie Eastman in 1950 and they had seven children together. After a divorce, he bought a cottage on Bear Lake, which he turned into a home. In 1976, he married Shirley Wade and after fifteen years that ended in divorce. At that time he moved to Florida, where he lived for sixteen years. While in Florida, he met a special friend, Elaine Zotas and together they moved back to Wisconsin. He kept active with his monthly class reunions, until many had passed away or didn't drive anymore. In his later years, Jim kept busy putting together puzzles, watching old movies and TV show reruns. Jim had a passion for writing letters to companies and local government trying to fix or better them, to no avail. But his true love in his later years was his dog Muffin, the lap dog who was his sole companion and entertainment and every conversation was about her!
Jim is survived by his children, David (Christa) Bednarowski, John Bednarowski, Ann (Gary) Wade, Dan (Martha) Bednarowski and Kim Bednarowski; siblings, Mary (Ray) McHugh and Helen (Joe) LeComte; sixteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert (Helen) Bednarowski; children, Joan (William) and Joseph Bednarowski and grandchildren, Timothy, Alex and Laura.
A Celebration of James' Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at The American Legion Post in New London, Wisconsin and a light lunch will be served. Please contact Ann Wade with any questions. 920-615-6184