James J. Wasko

James J. Wasko, 68, was called home on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 in the Granite Hills Convalescent Center, El Cajon, Ca. of complications brought on by Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born in Bellaire, Ohio on June 27th, 1953. He is the son of the late Jacob Jr and Freda Louise (Craig) Wasko of Bellaire, Ohio. Along with his parents and grandparents, he was preceded in death by his brother Joseph A. Wasko on March 7th, 2019 and several dear friends along the way.

Jim is survived by his sister Debbie (Jim) Marr of Bellaire, Ohio, niece Angie Wasko, nephew Christopher Wasko, several great-nieces and nephews, several cousins, special friends Linda McDonald, Tillie Briggs-Stewart, Jeff and Jennifer and many other dear friends that stretched from San Diego across the country back to Bellaire, Ohio.

Jim graduated from Bellaire High School in 1971 and remained a Big Red throughout his life. During his lifetime Jim taught at Belmont Technical College, in St. Clairsville, Ohio; he also was an Economics Instructor at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, Ca and was a retired Community Service Officer for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

Jim was a kind and humble person that truly enjoyed living life. He enjoyed the west coast from the beaches of California to his journeys back to Seldom Seen (Shady Lane) in Bellaire where his grandparents lived (up the hollow). The best expression of his love for life was his love for his friends that he surrounded himself with. Jim never met a stranger and it was evident of that by that outpouring of love and compassion for Jim by his friends as his Parkinson’s Disease rapidly progressed over the past year. In Jim’s passing he brought many of his friends together as they honored his wishes of returning him to his hometown of Bellaire. Words cannot express the love and thanks that go out to Linda and her family, Tillie, Jeff and Jennifer, Bill Sutton, Tom and Janice (Wasko) Sable and everyone that helped so much in making Jim’s final wishes become reality. Many times when Jim would leave he would give you the “Peace Sign” and say “Peace”. Now we say to our dear friend and brother, until we meet again, “Peace Be With You” as you journey on to your eternal home.

At a future date to be announced, there will be a memorial funeral service held with Father Daniel Heusel officiating and inurnment to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Bellaire.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made online to the “Jim Wasko Memorial Fund” by visiting www.TMCFunding.com or by sending Memorial Contribution Checks to: “Jim Wasko Memorial Fund” at the Belmont Savings Bank, 3301 Guernsey St, PO Box 654, Bellaire, OH 43906. Jim’s Memorial Contributions will be used to offset his funeral expenses and create a memorial for Jim.

Share your thoughts and memories with Jim’s family at www.BauknechtAltmeyer.com