James CHODZINSKI

18 JUL 1961 - 1 NOV 2016

• BIRTH: 18 JUL 1961, South Bend, IN
• DEATH: 1 NOV 2016, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N2028] James B. "Jimmy" Chodzinski
July 18, 1961 - November 1, 2016
A voice was quieted today as God called James B. Chodzinski (better known as Jimmy) in preparation for his "Homecoming." He passed away of congestive heart failure and many other complications (cancer, HIV, and neuropathy from head to toe). In the last years of his life, his doctors wanted to give him a double hip replacement and possible knee surgeries. He decided not to have drastic surgeries, he just wanted his last days to be of quality of life (instead of quantity of life) - and just be made comfortable. Jimmy was born July 18, 1961, to Chester and Dolores Chodzinski, both whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Stephen; and two nieces, Amy and Melissa Chodzinski, who died in car accidents three years, five days apart. He is survived by four older brothers, Thomas (Vicki), Timothy, Patrick and David (Alice); six nephews, Andrew (Amy), Adam, Jacob (Britney), Ronnie, Robert, and Jarred Mihaila; two nieces, Jenny Roth and Sarah Mercado; four great-nephews, Logan and Wyatt Chodzinski, Alex and Jacob Roth; and two great-nieces, Cora and Olivia. Personal things were added to make my "Homecoming" special. Such as friends and family may say reflections or expressions (those people who chose to do this, I thank wholeheartedly). A very personal poem, "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost will be read by a very special someone in my life (thank you Michelle Jewell). My published and copywritten works will be added to my tombstone. All of this will make my homecoming special. A special thank you to Barbra Streisand whose music and four songs were "my choice." I just want my family and friends to stop, sit, and listen to the most beautiful words and mostly the meaning accompanied with the most perfect melodic music.Jimmy's homecoming will be celebrated with a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where a rosary will be prayed at 5:00 p.m. A private Catholic Funeral Service will take place with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County or the Northern Indiana Food Bank. Jimmy moved back from Chicago and on August 6,1996, he moved home to help his father. In a short time he toured around with musicals. Loving musical theatre, he kept a home base in Chicago/Michigan City, Canada and New York. He worked as a cake decorator, baker, window set designer for shows and for Bergdorf-Goodman of New York. He was a writer, having four books of poems published from 1999-present and a book about AIDS and other short stories. Though he didn't sing much lately, he missed it, but he had done a lot in his life and was proud of his accomplishments. Jimmy would like to give thanks to My B.B. Charone, Logan, John Shockey, Rob Schultz, Loretta Gnievicki, Eddy Magdalinski, and Mary (Jody) Brunner. To all of The Kaniewski Family, Leeah Hopper, Catina Groves, Dr. Klaus (cancer doctor), Dr. Ron Nelson & Wonderful Staff (cardiologist), Dr. Meredith Wierman, Dr. Robert Clausen, Gladys Johnson, Mike Lysik & The Whole Lysik Family, Melonie Haugel, Dan Martin, Toni De Fault, Jr. Perez, Class of 1980 - I love you all. Thank you for caring and sharing your time and abilities with me. Thank you to Tom for helping me with a plaque I sold to a major catalog. Thank you Sherry Kent of Kaniewski's for helping me nip and tweak. (I think I'm done now.) But also an Extra Special Thank You to my brother Tim for his Saturday stopovers with my groceries. I was blessed having you or I would have starved. The Saturday grocery stop was the highlight of my weekend. You have Blessed me immensely with your love and understanding. Expressing this and that I have nothing to give you but worldly possessions, "love to you, my brother" and..."Tomorrow!"

"Christmas Yesterday"
Drifting like a melody
Each snowflake to behold
Sometimes I wonder
Who created such a perfect mold?
Ev'ry snowflake is a masterpiece
As they fall in the cold…

And yes, for we all can remember
Though some are gone,
And some are miles away,
Just journey back to a past December
To find the joy of Christmas Yesterday.

Though this road is everwinding
I never left my heart behind
And I see you within the glow
Of each new star that I am finding...
It leads me to where you are…

It's so hard to touch what is out of my hands
And to know and to trust what my heart understands
Though I know this one thing for which I pray,
To find the joy of Christmas Yesterday…

By Jimmy Chodzinski, Copyrighted
December 2001
Published 2002