James J. Jagodzinski

1942 - 2024

News story
By Mike Sigov
Blade staff writer

James J. Jagodzinski, Sr., of Toledo, a former policeman turned truck driver turned bar owner and operator who was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War era, died Sept. 13 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio on Detroit Avenue. He was 82.

He died after falling and breaking his neck while suffering a stroke, his stepson, Eric de Groff, said.

"He was a wonderful, loving man," Mr. de Groff said. "He was a really humble guy.

"... He was always on the go. He was always busy."

And he was a strong person who always came back from adversity, Mr. de Groff said.

Mr. Jagodzinski retired on disability from the Archbold, Ohio, police department in the early 1970s after suffering an injury in the line of duty. He was shot in the head when interrupting a robbery in Archbold.

He then drove a tractor-trailer rig, delivering gas cylinders for a local company for a time until he got injured when a lift gate on the truck broke, dropping cylinders on him.

Upon recovery, Mr. Jagodzinski went to work for a former Taylor Cadillac dealership in Toledo, for which he bought used cars for many years.

Mr. Jagodzinski then for at least 10 years co-owned and operated the former Jago's bar on Broadway Street in South Toledo with his wife, Sandi Jagodzinski, who survives.

Born May 15, 1942, in Toledo to Felix and Emily Jagodzinski, he graduated from high school and then joined the Army. He served stateside until his honorable discharge and then returned to northwest Ohio to work as a police officer in Archbold.

In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and traveling in the United States and Canada. He was also an avid Buckeyes football fan.

Mr. Jagodzinski was a member of the American Legion Post 587 in West Toledo.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Felicia Skow, Karen de Groff, and Patricia Singer; and brother, Felix Jagodzinski, Jr.

Along with his wife of 34 years, Sandi Jagodzinski, he is survived by his son, James Jagodzinski, Jr.; daughter, Tina Jagodzinski; stepson, Eric de Groff; sisters Dolores Glass and Eleanor Byrne; brothers Wade Norman, Patrick Norman, and Dennis Norman, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"He was a caring father and grandfather. All his children and grandkids love him," Mr. de Groff said, adding that his stepfather attended nearly every sporting event in which his grandchildren participated.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 at the American Legion Walter Weller Post 135, 2404 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo.

Arrangements are by Cremation Society of Toledo.

The family suggests tributes to hospice.