James Edward Cichocki

Jim was born on July 14, 1953, in Detroit, MI and attended St. David’s grade school and high school. Jim wanted to be a fireman very early just as his father was and started preparing himself soon after high school. He was patient. He worked at Kurtz Steel and later as a Wayne County sheriff. He applied to the Detroit Fire Department, was accepted and went through training very enthusiastically. That’s when the accident happened. While working on a training exercise he fell from the ladder and broke his foot.

It took operations and time to heal his foot. Doctors thought he might take a disability retirement, but this was Jim’s dream job for so long he had to get well and return. Jim eventually returned and he enjoyed his 31 years in the Fire Department, working his way to captain when he retired. He rarely took a sick day and would give you an argument if you suggested he should.

Off the job, Jim was no couch potato. He developed a hobby of working with stained glass and built many lamps, windows and other objects that still adorn his and other family members’ homes. He was “Mr. Fixit”. Learning from his father and getting advice from many other friends, he could repair almost anything. He was fully capable of installing and repairing plumbing and electrical items. He was good at woodworking as well as general home repair. In fact, he saved his brother Bill the price of a new refrigerator by finding and repairing a small ten-dollar part. To this day that refrigerator is still humming away – a 40-year-old relic. He was insistent on doing repairs and maintenance himself in order for them to be done right. To that end, he maintained his cars himself unless he needed a special tool that he didn’t have yet. It was a good chance that if that job needed to be done again, he’d have the required tool.

Other things that kept him going were camping trips up north with his best friend Jim Cuneo. He was also an amateur Detroit History buff. From his travels as a fireman around Detroit he would find interesting stories about various streets and buildings and was eager to share them with you. Jim’s biggest love was the animals especially the dogs. He hated to see any animal neglected or harmed. He didn’t want to watch a movie in which he knew animals were being tortured or killed even if it was only movie make believe. He himself had five dogs over the years – of course there was Smokey, then there was Hooch, followed by Spencer and Bogart. His current dog Cooper misses him terribly. Those are five of the luckiest dogs that have ever lived. Jim coddled them and took care of their every need.

Finally, if you ever received a short note from Jim congratulating you, thanking you or just wishing you happiness you may have been impressed by his words of understanding.

Rest in peace my brave hero. Rest in peace.

Jim was the beloved husband of Joyce. Loving step-father of Aaron Youngblood, Adam (Lori) Youngblood, and Lauren (Steven) Paluch. Cherished grandfather of Jacob, Luke, Eva, Kaiden, and Ellidy. Dear brother of Catherine (Michael) Grix and William Chichocki. Predeceased by his parents Leonard and Rita Chichocki.

Visitation for Jim will be held Monday, September 12th from 3-9pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI. His Funeral Service will be held Tuesday at 11am at the Funeral Home. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jim's name are appreciated to either the Detroit Dog Rescue or the Michigan Humane Society.

Please share memories of Jim at his guest book below.