James A. Szymanski

James Alfred Szymanski of FRANKLIN passed away peacefully March 7, 2023 at the age of 83. He was born March 5, 1940 to Alfred and Esther (Lodyga) Szymanski in South Bend, IN. Adored and loving father to Marianne, James and Joseph and son and daughter in laws Garo Hartounian and Cindy Szymanski. Proud grandfather to Maximillian, Mia, Emma and Matthew. Preceded in death by his beloved wife Marianne (Armenio-Proite). Knowing that he is reunited with the love of his life brings us comfort.

Brother to Marcia Szymanski of Mishawaka, IN. Survived by in-laws Joseph Lazzaro, Anthony and Lena Zingale and Anna and Mark Lemberger, nieces and nephews, loving cousins in Indiana and family in Italy and Sicily. Further survived by wonderful friends, fellow musicians and bandmates and retirees of Delphi-Delco Electronics. Brother in law of the late Josephine Lazzaro.

James was a man of faith and many hobbies. He is a graduate of St. Joseph’s High School in South Bend. A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, MSOE brought him to Milwaukee where he and Marianne met and raised their family. He was active in the Holy Name Society and Cub Scouts at St. Sebastian Church and later a member of St. Alphonsus.

An electrical engineer by profession, one of the most memorable projects he worked on was designing systems for the Space Shuttle Apollo 11. Logical by nature, he also had a creative side. As a musical artist, he was a performance guitarist who played in many bands in Milwaukee. He was an inspiration to those he taught to play personally including his grandsons who were able to play guitar with him and those memories will be cherished forever. His last performance was with his granddaughter singing lyrics and grandsons joining him on the guitar.

A talented woodworker, the furniture he built are considered works of art by his children. His granddaughters remember him as the fun and super-loving Grandfather who spent countless hours building them American Girl Furniture. A voracious reader and trivia guru, his neighbors would often see him on his porch with a good book.

He touched so many people with his music, his wisdom, his faith, his strong work ethic, quick wit and charitable heart and his last note was played with a full life. He will be dearly missed by his family.

Visitation at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 5400 W. Washington Blvd., Saturday, March 18 2023, 9-10:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial 11 A.M. If desired, memorials may be directly made to St. Sebastian Parish or Marquette University High School.