James William Zilinski

James W. Zilinski passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on April 12, 2023 in Fort Myers, Florida after years of dealing with a "bouquet of diseases". He has been called a real gentleman with a special sense of humor, strength and grace.
Jim was born to Emma and Charles Zilinski on January 25, 1944 in Rochester, New York. He graduated from Newark (NY) High School. He was a Sigma Chi brother at Bowling Green State University, graduating with Omicron Delta Kappa honors. In 1965 he married his high school sweetheart, Janet Wrench, and together they built a beautiful life of 58 years.
Jim's career started with 17 years at IBM. He changed careers to work at New England Life where he initiated their financial planning practice and developed the annuity business. Leaving as EVP, he rose to Berkshire Life Insurance Company as CEO. He merged the company with Guardian Life Insurance Company to solidify jobs for Berkshire County, to provide better benefits for employees and to ensure security for policy holders.
Jim was on the industry boards of ACLI, LOMA, MIB and LIMRA, a driving force to create the LLIF designation. But, he also gave to the community including leading as moderator for the Berkshire Compact. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from Mass College of Liberal Arts for his service. Two other corporate boards which gave him pleasure were Bottom Line Technology (20+years) and CUNA Mutual (12 years). One board member said that after Jim left, he often found himself wondering "What would Jim have asked?"
Jim was not all work. He loved to play any game, especially golf. He also loved to hunt for lost golf balls and distribute his collections to friends everywhere. He was a member of White Cliffs Country Club in Plymouth, MA and Copperleaf Golf Club in Estero, FL. He was happiest in the company of family, friends and dogs at his homes on the water of Conesus Lake and Great Herring Pond.
It was great to be an "F-O-J", a friend of Jim's and he had many lifelong friends from Rochester, NY and Sherborn, MA and he made new friends everywhere he went. He was predeceased by his brother, Art. He is survived by his sister, Joyce Jackson, his wife, Janet and his three children: Todd (with Melissa) Zilinski, Christina (with Craig) Bardenheuer and Daniel (with Jennifer) Zilinski; by his seven adoring grandchildren; Hans, Charlie, Will, Zoe, Tyler, Emma and James and his many loving nieces and nephews. They loved his playful, positive attitude and sound advice.
The family will receive guests Monday, April 17th at Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home starting at 10AM followed by a memorial service on location at 11AM. There will be a luncheon to follow.
A celebration of life will also be held in Plymouth, MA this summer.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Copperleaf Charitable Foundation or to the Parkinson's Disease research fund at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.