Obituary of James S. Ski"" Kalinowski

Loving husband, proud father, and wonderful grandfather died heroically on December 24, 2015, at the age of 72, after a long battle with cancer. Born on February 15, 1943 to Jadwiga (Harriet) and Stephan Kalinowski in Buffalo, NY. The youngest of three children, Ski graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical High School for boys in 1960. On May 29, 1961 he joined the U.S. Air Force and proudly served his country for 26 years as a Telephone Equipment Technician. He received his military training at Lackland AFB in Texas. He was stationed at Hamilton AFB, CA; Johnston Island AFB; Hancock AFB, NY; Osana AFB, Korea; Kirtland AFB, NM, and he fought in Vietnam. He continued his service at Vandenberg AFB, CA; Kadena AFB, Okinawa; Griffiss AFB, NY; Sembach AFB, Germany; and again at Griffiss AFB, NY where he retired on May 31,1987. Ski received several awards and honors for his service. He toured over 30 U.S. states and countries, including Hawaii, England, Iceland, Greenland, and the Netherlands. After serving his country he worked for Gaffney (Northland) Communications for several years before retiring in 2006. While stationed at Hancock AFB, Ski met his loving wife of 40 years, Jo-Ann Daley. They were married on February 22, 1975 and had two beautiful daughters; more than anything he enjoyed spending time with his family for holidays, vacationing with family and friends) Dan and Pat Lavoie, gardening, and reflecting upon past memories. Ski is preceded by his parents and his siblings Vincent Kalinowski and Joan Halliday. He is survived by his wife, Jo-Ann, his daughters Kathleen VanDamme and Christine Karpe, sons-in-law Leo VanDamme and Thomas Karpe, and grandchildren, Avery, Annika, and Vaughn VanDamme, Evelyn and Grace Karpe, sister-in-law Marilyn Kalinowski, and several nieces, nephews, and special friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:15 AM from the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, at St. Peter's Church, with Rev. Philip A. Hearn, officiating. Burial with Military Honors, will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Tuesday 4 to 7 PM.