James Shatynski

Jim was born on March 4, 1931 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He passed from this world into heaven in his eightieth year on February 25, 2011, in Santa Maria, CA, to be with his parents, Michael and Anna Szatynski, and his sister, Gloria Bevec.Jim graduated in 1953 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting after attending William and Mary College on a football scholarship. He subsequently served for 2 years as a lieutenant in the US Army in air defense missile batteries defending the continental United States.Jim earned his MBA from Pepperdine University. He worked for 45 years as an executive in the tire industry before retiring. After serving in the Army, he married the love of his life, Helen Roden, an Army nurse in 1956. They had seven children, 5 of whom survived. These are; Rear Admiral Mike Shatynski, USN, married to Valorie of Whittier CA, Mary Shatynski of Santa Maria CA, Commander Steve Shatynski, USN, and his wife Melissa of Brea CA, Cathy Hansen and her husband Brian of San Pedro CA, and Angie Blackburn and her husband Dennis of Santa Maria CA. He has seven beloved grandchildren named Amaris, Steve, Rachel, Isaac, Jack, Stephani, and Abigail. He was a respected coach and mentor whose greatest joy was to support his children and grandchildren in sports, scouting, and academic endeavors. He is also survived by his two sisters, Nancy Denman and Diana Alt. Jim and Helen lived in Downey for over 35 years and were very active members of the community especially in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church and grade school. Helen worked for many years as a nurse in Downey Community Hospital and other local medical offices. Jim coached numerous DJAA, Ponytail, and other sports teams. He spent 50 years of his life serving the Catholic Church in the Knights of Columbus as a Fourth Degree Sir Knight. He was a founding member of a Dallas, Texas,Council where he served as Grand Knight. Jim Shatynski knew no stranger. He appreciated a good joke and always told bad ones. He conducted extensive research into Szatynski family geneology and traced his family roots to Dobromyl, Western Ukraine, which he visited in 2009. Jim's other passions included reading mysteries and historical fiction with his wife,rooting for the LA Dodgers, collecting stamps and coins with his grandchildren, and supporting education through the California Lottery. The Viewing will be at St Louis DeMontfort Church in Santa Maria, CA, on Friday, March 4, from 6 to 7 PM with the Rosary to follow at 7 PM. The Funeral Mass will be held the next day, Saturday, at 9:30 AM at St Louis DeMontfort Church. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Saint Louis DeMonfort Building Fund by contacting Father Charles at (805) 328-3423.

********** Published: March 3, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 46