Jim and wife of 42 years Joan
James Michael Pintkowski was born on December 28, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan; the first son and middle child of three. Although his parents aren't here to testify, he probably arrived before his due date so his folks could claim the additional dependent on their 1944 income taxes. He was that kind of guy - always considerate of his family.
Jim married Joan, his high school sweetheart, at age 20. He was a medic in the Army reserves during the Vietnam era, which afforded him the privilege of being in attendance when son James and daughter Jennifer were born a few years later (at the time dads weren't allowed in the delivery room) and enabled him to be of great assistance in their care. Jim was always an intuitive, thoughtful caregiver but his extreme dedication and patience was unknown until Joan was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As it progressed Jim became her primary caretaker and partner through for life. Jim was a great father to his kids and a wonderful soul mate to his wife - he was always there whenever they needed him.
As anyone could tell who knew Jim, he was an energetic, never-sit-down kind of person. He was the great host at any celebration or get together and was your friend at first sight. He excelled in whatever he set out to do. He had a favorite saying to his kids, he would give them great words of wisdom for life or moral to a story and then say, "...and remember, you're a Pintkowski!" and he expected each of them to excel. In his career with Pitney Bowes, the other salesmen would say in frustration whenever a sales competition began, "Just give the prize to Pintkowski - he'll win it anyway!" And he usually did. When Jim and Joan started Telecom Management in 1982, it was Jim's sheer determination and Joan's encouragement that made the business succeed.
Jim did everything in life with gusto - he worked hard, he played hard. He embraced life. He was a true friend that you could count on and trust, as he always exhibited great integrity. He said after he received the horrible diagnosis of stage IV pancreatic cancer that he had no regrets and felt like he had done everything he wanted to do -- he had two great kids, had traveled all over the world with the love of his life, and had designed and built a beautiful, comfortable home that they truly enjoyed.
Jim died 4-1/2 months after diagnosis, and just shy of his 63rd birthday. It was ironic that he contracted the most deadly form of cancer. Jim never did anything half way.
© 2009 James M. Pintkowski Fund, a non-profit 501c3 organization