James Joseph Ciesla

James Joseph “Jim” Ciesla, 80, of Lauderhill, Florida, passed on November 3, 2026, in Wilton Manors, Florida. Following a stroke he suffered on September 28, 2023, while vacationing in Puerto Rico, Jim had lived at The Pearl nursing home in Wilton Manors, where he received wonderful care.

Jim was born near Buffalo, New York, to Henry and Mary Ciesla on April 27, 1946, and grew up in the Buffalo area. On September 20, 1967, he entered the United States Air Force, where he served as an Aircraft Maintenance Specialist and was deployed to Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged on September 3, 1971. Jim was a proud veteran, loved being American and was always incredibly patriotic throughout his life.

Jim studied electromechanical engineering at Buffalo State University. He began his career as an engineer, designing batteries for heart pacemakers at Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. In 1987, Jim moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida and worked for DME Corporation. He went on to a career in information technology as a computer network architect, retiring from Citibank. Along the way, he also did side work in photography.

Jim was a second-generation woodworker. Ciesla (Polish) actually translates to carpenter or woodworker. He received his first set of tools from his father at age 9 after his father’s passing, and spent more than 45 years working with wood. In retirement, he pursued his passion as a wood artist with his own small business, turning wood into pieces he described as “functional works of art.” He enjoyed exhibiting at craft shows and selling on Etsy, to proudly display and sell his works of wood-art. He was a member of the International Wood Collectors Society, as well as the American Association of Woodturners, the Gold Coast Turners Organization, and the South Florida Woodworking Guild.

On July 17, 2010, Jim married Susan in Fort Lauderdale. Jim and Sue shared a very close and loving relationship. Jim cherished Sue with all his loving heart, just as Sue cherished Jim. Together they loved vacationing in Key West, going out together to wine and dine at Bonefish Grill, and attending craft shows. Jim was a devoted husband, and the life he and Sue built together was one of true, loving companionship.

Above all, Jim was a devoted father and grandfather. He and his first wife, Odilia, had two daughters, Anne and Tara. Jim loved his daughters and his grandchildren, Sebastian, Penelope, and Nora with his whole heart, and nothing meant more to him than his family. He was proud of them and devoted to them, and they loved him dearly in return. Jim was a wonderful man, and his warmth and the love he gave so freely will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Ciesla, and by Odilia, his first wife and the mother of his daughters, Anne and Tara.

Jim is survived by his wife, Susan; her sons, James Pizzella, and Joseph Pizzella and his wife, Brittany; his daughters, Anne Bateman and her husband, Drew, and Tara Connaughton and her husband, Patrick; his brother, Henry Ciesla; and his grandchildren, Sebastian, Penelope, and Nora.

Visitation wake will be Wednesday, 11/18/2026 from 3 – 6:30 PM at Kraeer (Dignity) Funeral Home, 1655 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33071.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 11/19/2026, celebrating Mass at 10:00 AM at St. Andrews Catholic Church, 9950 NW 29th Street, Coral Springs, FL 33065. Veteran’s Burial will follow at 12:30 PM, at South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449.

The family of Jim wishes to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to the entire staff of The Pearl at Fort Lauderdale Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Wilton Manors for the excellent care they gave him over the past three years.

Flowers are welcome, alternatively please consider donating to the American Heart Association.