James W. Paramski

He was born on June 28, 1942, in Waukegan, Ill.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of Mansfield Township, and two children, Denise (Pete) Maloney of Iron River and Pete (Tracy) of Newberry, along with five grandchildren: Max of Fort Worth, Texas, Victoria of Green Bay, Wis. and Ella Maloney of Fort Worth and Toni of Rochester, Mich, and John Paramski of Alpha. He is also survived by many nieces and a special nephew, Eric (Jenny) Paramski, and cousin, Rusty Paramski.

Jim attended Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Ill., graduated in 1961, and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was in service during the Cuban Missile Crisis/Bay of Pigs and was stationed in Washington D.C. in the Pentagon at the time of President Kennedy’s assassination and burial. He was a patriot in every sense of the word. His patriotism was the center of his core. Jim was a member of the V.F.W. Post and American Legion in Crystal Falls.

He married the love of his life, Sharon Kania of Mansfield Township, in 1965 at St. Margaret Catholic Church in Channing, sharing their 59th wedding anniversary on June 5 of this year. Jim was employed as an electrician and worked for many years at Caterpillar, Inc. at their Aurora, Ill., plant before working 28 years for the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. at the Republic, Empire and Tilden Mines; he retired in 2002.

His greatest joy in his life was following the activities and accomplishments of his five grandchildren and spending time with them. His favorite activity included meals cooked over a Weber grill full of Croatian Chicken.

His grandkids were his world. He was a life-long wine maker known far and wide for his top-end “Dago Red.” Few people left his home without sharing a glass of his homemade wine with him at the kitchen table.

His other passions in life included deer hunting and watching deer throughout the year, gardening, polka dancing and attending Michigan Tech Football games where both his grandsons and his son played. He also loved his beloved Green Bay Packers.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday from 9 until 10:30 a.m. at the Nash Funeral Home in Crystal Falls.

A Catholic Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at the Guardian Angels Church in Crystal Falls. The Eastside Veterans will accord burial rites.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Guardian Angels Church.

Condolences to the family of James W. Paramski may be expressed online at www.nashfuneralhome.net.