James John Ankowski

Jim was born on February 19, 1947, in Warren, Ohio. He had fond memories of spending time with neighborhood friends, visiting his grandparents on their farm, and playing with his dog Kix. He was a graduate of Aquinas College High School and remained lifelong friends with his “Veritas!” brothers.

He met the love of his life, Mary Jo, as teenagers when they both worked at Big Star — she rang up the groceries and he bagged them — and barring Jim's time overseas with the Air Force, they were inseparable. He returned home from the service with an impressive mustache, a newfound love of kimchi, and big plans for the future.

He began his career at the City of Columbus, earned his Bachelor’s and Master of Public Administration degrees from The Ohio State University, and married Mary Jo on February 7, 1970 – they joyfully celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary this year.

Jim loved and cherished his family and friends. He was the biggest cheerleader of his daughter, son, and their spouses, and he doted on his six amazing grandchildren, who lovingly called him Dziadzia.

After retirement, Jim and Mary Jo loved to travel, especially on cruises to places like Alaska and the Panama Canal. Jim was a longtime member and Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3727, and the Chairman of the Supervisory Committee for CME Federal Credit Union.

He was a generous man, a devoted Catholic, a consummate prankster, an impressive belly-laugher, and a tireless bird lover — he continuously chased those greedy squirrels away from his always-well-stocked bird feeders, and recently shocked his entire family by casually mentioning that he saved an unconscious bird's life by giving it mouth-to-beak resuscitation.

We're pretty sure he wasn't pranking us about that.

He was a Buckeye fan, NASCAR aficionado, and loyal Browns backer. He loved music of all types, as long as it was loud. But more than anything, he adored every single thing about his loving wife Mary Jo. He thought the sun rose and set around her, and we're pretty sure he was right.

He is preceded in death by his parents Hugo and Helen Ankowski.

He is survived by his loving wife Mary Jo, children Nicole (Rob) Harvilla and Andy (Amber) Ankowski, and grandchildren Max, Griffin and Mira Harvilla, and Sammy, Fred and Millie Ankowski.

Jim was a kind and deeply loving soul who made the world around him better, and who will be greatly missed.

Family and friends may gather on Thursday, May 8th, from 10:00–11:00am at Church of the Resurrection (6300 E. Dublin-Granville Road). A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am, followed by a procession to Saint Joseph Cemetery (6440 S. High Street in Lockbourne) for inurnment, and a luncheon upon returning to the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any charitable donations be made to The Audubon Society or The Nature Conservancy.