Banaszek, James Fitzgerald 'Jim'

James Fitzgerald “Jim” Banaszek, 49, passed away July 4, 2013, in Hiawatha after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Visitation and memorial services will be Sunday, July 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids. Visitation also will be held Monday, July 8, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline, Ill., with a rosary to be recited at 3:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, at St. Anne's Catholic Church, East Moline.

Jim was born Feb. 14, 1964, in East Moline, to Stan and Betty Banaszek. Jim attended St Anne's Catholic School, East Moline, and graduated from Alleman High School, Rock Island, in 1982. During his high school years, Jim worked for the family business, including Ridgewood Variety and Mr. Quick. Jim moved to Colorado in 1986, but returned to Cedar Rapids in 1990 to raise his family.

Jim was employed with Black Hawk Freight for many years and ended his career in the transportation industry as terminal manager with Forward Air in May 2013 due to his illness.

Jim married LaVonne Ellison in 1988 and together they had two beautiful daughters, Megan Elizabeth and Jenna Marie. Jim was always very athletic (the most athletic in his family), participated in high school sports and was a passionate Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Everyone who knew Jim would remember him as a hard worker and as a person who always put everyone else's needs before his own. His greatest love though was spending time with his daughters, attending their school and sporting events and being their best friend. Jim took the girls to Hawaii in April 2013 for a family vacation making memories that they will always cherish. He fought his illness with great optimism, dignity and resilience till the end. During that long stretch of time, Megan and Jenna were by his side, providing care and comfort to their dad.

Jim is survived by his daughters, Megan and Jenna of Cedar Rapids; his parents, Stan and Betty Banaszek of East Moline; his siblings, Phil of Moline, Joe (Debbie) of Davenport, Lisa (Pat) Freeman of Liberty Township, Ohio, Tom of East Moline, Michele of East Moline, Dan (Michele) of Moline and Christine of East Moline. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stan and Genevieve Banaszek and Peter and Lorine Tvarkunas; his uncle, Mike Ferretti; and aunt, Sis (Paula) Banaszek.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's memory to Alleman Catholic High School, Rock Island, Ill.; Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha; or Camp Wapsie, Coggon.

Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.

Published July 6, 2013 in The Gazette