James “Jim” Kolesar died peacefully on December 1, 2021 at the age of 82. Jim is predeceased by his parents John & Susan Kolesar; brothers Donald & Jack Kolesar. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Evelyn; daughters Theresa (Jim Pegoni), Jody, Mary (Terry Adams); grandchildren Benjamin, Matthew, & Grace; siblings Elaine Henderson & Michael Kolesar; his cherished nieces and nephews as well as many friends that he loved as family.
Jim was a Navy veteran, a plank owner and a boiler operator on the USS Edson (DD-946). He returned to the Edson, reconnecting with his dear Navy friends at the ship’s decommissioning in December of 1988. He remained close friends with these men, their wives and families.
Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Jim and Evelyn moved to Rochester, NY in 1963 and he found work as a pipefitter at General Motors Delco. He and Evelyn dedicated their lives to raising their three daughters. He spent many hours involved in the girls’ swimming club, designing program covers & team pennants and as an official at numerous meets. Nights and weekends were filled with going on drives (just because), camping trips with his family or tinkering in his garage. Jim defined “family” as anyone you wanted it to be. He opened his home and his heart to everyone. But no one was more dear to him than his wife, Evelyn. They mesmerized everyone with their beautiful dancing and held hands to the end. Jim was proud of his daughters and grandchildren, always bragging about their accomplishments and attending EVERY celebration, event, game and meet without fail!
Jim has always had a generous spirit. Jim enjoyed life and made sure it included as many of his family and friends as possible, hosting parties at home where one couldn’t find parking for blocks and organizing annual work picnics. He collected returnable cans at work, donating thousands of dollars to the Al Sigl Center, the Mary Cariola Center and St. Joseph’s Villa. After retiring from Delco after 30 years he filled his days with Senior Softball where he developed amazing friendships. He continued his generous spirit by organizing annual friendship tournaments with his Canadian friends and annual charitable softball tournaments with friends and family at home. These tournaments generated over $11,000 donated to charities close to his heart (9/11, Gilda’s Club and Golisano Children’s Hospital) and also landed him a spot in the Rochester Softball Hall of Fame.
Anyone who met Jim, immediately knew he was a Pittsburgh fan, through and through. He was always decked out in black and gold and he carried pictures of his infamous “Pittsburgh Room” wherever he went. He was an active member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Club of Rochester for many years, organizing charitable donations from the club and volunteering with club members at the Special Olympics Poly Hockey.
Too many of Jim’s last years were burdened with fighting Parkinson’s disease. With the unwavering and enduring love of his wife Evelyn, Jim was able to fill his days with many things that made his life happy.
Jim’s life will be celebrated on Friday, December 10th with Calling Hours at St. John’s of Rochester Church, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY at 10am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am. Jim’s burial will be at Riverside Cemetery, Lake Avenue, Rochester at 1:30pm. The family asks that all guests wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Parkinson’s Voice Project
(https://www.parkinsonvoiceproject.org/Donate )
Rochester Challenger Miracle Field
Rochester Challenger Miracle Fieldhttps://rochestermiraclefield.org/get-involved/make-a-gift or
Golisano Children’s Hospital
Comments
10 responses to “Kolesar, James Thomas”
So sorry for your loss
My thoughts and condolences to the Kolesar family. I worked with Jim at Delco starting back in 1979. In the pipe shop our lockers and tool boxes were across from each other. We spent many a time at breaks or lunch talking about his girls swimming at Cardinal Mooney and The Pirates and the Steelers. Me being an Orioles and Browns fan Jim always had the upper hand in those discussions! Some mornings he’d ask me, “How’s your Theresa? Good. How’s yours? We both had a Theresa in our lives. Jim had a wonderful skill in calligraphy and would print our names on our tool boxes. I still have mine and when I see that printing on my box I instantly recall the day when Jim asked if I would like him to write my name on my box. To say that Jim advocated the Pop Can fundraising would be an understatement. He was most proud of the donations he could collect from the plant. I have So many memories of Jim. Too many to list. He was a good man, a proud man a loving father and husband. Rest In Peace Jim.
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Jim Kolesar. When I was first hired at Delco Products Jim helped me find my way around the plant, I loved his great sense of humor, One day I asked him what time was lunch ,he asked if I was hungry I said yes he said then it’s time for lunch.He was very opinionated if he didn’t like any situation at work or anywhere he’d let you know . I’ll never forget Jim, may he Rest in Peace ! Denny Kuba
Dennis please give Evelyn and the girls my deepest condolence. due to prior appointments i will be unable to attend, thank you
I’m so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. He was a great man and I have fond memories of spending time with the family when I was young, seeing him and Evelyn at Wegmans, and at the Steelers club. Thinking of you all.❤
I’m very sorry for your loss Evelyn and family. Jim was a fine man! I had the pleasure of meeting him thru a long time friend of mine back in the 90’s. I would always see Jim and Evelyn at the steelers games every sunday at the old steelers fan club Jox.
I was able to reconnect about a doz yrs ago moving into my buddy’s house and becoming neighbors with Jim and his awesome wife. Evelyn is one of the toughest and strongest women i’ve ever met. She makes great xmas cookies too:) I had the pleasure of seeing Jim’s Pittsburgh sports museum when I first moved in next door. He took pride in that beautiful set up it was something! I showed him my little Steelers set up but it’s chopped liver compared to his.. It’s been an honor knowing you Jimmy, RIP my friend…??Godbless the entire family.
So sorry to hear of Jim passing. I remember a wonderful party at your house one Christmas! Evelyn I remember you like we worked together yesterday. Now I’ve been at Wegmans 33 years!!! Can you believe it? Thinking and trusting for your family
Our thought and prayer for Evelyn and family. Jim put up one heck of a fight. Now at peace. We will miss him tremendously.
Dear Evelyn and family, My deepest sympathy to all of you on the loss of Jim. I have so many great memories of the picnics and parties at your home when our husbands both worked at Delco. Judy
I was a senior softball teammate of Jim’s for a few years. My deepest sympathy to Evelyn and family for their loss.. God bless may he rest in peace