James W. Zawatski
James W. “Jim” Zawatski, 73, of 5757 Ridgway-Johnsonburg Road, Johnsonburg, died early Thursday morning, December 2, 2021 at Penn Highlands-DuBois following a lengthy illness.
He was born on July 8, 1948 in St. Marys a son to the late Walter and Dorothy Grasser Zawatski. After graduation form the Johnsonburg Area High School in 1966 he served as a Sergeant with Battery C 1st Battalion 6th Army 1st Armored Division where he served one year of foreign service in Vietnam and received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and Expert Rifleman Medal
Jim has lived the last ten years in Johnsonburg and had lived most of his life in Ridgway. During the 1980’s thru to the early 2000’s he and his parents were the owners and managers of the Ace Hardware Store in Ridgway. Jim was also a traveling plumber for the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union local 354 for over 40 years, retiring in 2010, working on many major construction projects including the Alaska Pipeline.
He was a member of Holy Rosary Church, Johnsonburg, the Vietnam Veterans Assn. Chapter 948 of St. Marys, the Ridgway American Legion post 208, the Ridgway VFW where he was an officer for many years, the Ridgway Eagles and the Ridgway Country Club where he loved to golf whenever possible. He also loved to go hunting, fishing and was an avid bowler.
He is survived by his children, David Zawatski and his wife Tara of Ridgway and Denise Zawatski of Ridgway and a brother Donald “Donny” Zawatski and his wife Sandy of Ridgway and sisters Mary Lou Leslie of Ridgway, Patty, Mrs. Rich Watkins of Lancaster, New York and Jeanne DiLaura of Niagara Falls, New York. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was predeceased by his parents.
Funeral services for James W. Zawatski will be private and held at the convenience of the family. There will be no visitation. Interment will be in Parklawn Memorial Gardens, Ridgway.
Arrangements are under direction of Anthony F. Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Chestnut Street, Johnsonburg, PA
Military honors will be accorded by the Johnsonburg-Ridgway Servicemen’s Detail. Detail members are asked to assemble at the funeral home Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m.
If desired, memorials should be made in his name to the cahrity of one’s choice.
Share your condolences at www.ferraginefuneralhome.com.