James A. Kaszanek
Passed 07/14/2018
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Obituary For James A. Kaszanek
James A. Kaszanek, 77, died peacefully on July 14, 2018. Born and raised in Boston, Jim graduated from Mission Church High School, Class of '58, and Bentley College. He moved to Rockland in 1963 where he raised his family. Jim was a true leader and very committed and involved in the community; he held numerous positions in the Rockland Jaycees, the Rockland Democratic Town Committee and the Rockland Lions Club; and was a member of the Rockland Knights of Columbus and the Rockland Eagles.
Jim was a talented drummer and shared his love of music by teaching drums to many students over the years. He was the Manager of the Defenders Junior Drum & Bugle Corp and traveled with the senior corps all over the country. Jim enjoyed karaoke; and performed with the group "The People Next Door" and the South Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra.
Jim retired from both the Boston Gas Company and as the Executive Director of the Rockland Housing Authority. He also worked for Toyota of Weymouth after closing Kaszanek Construction Company.
He was an avid reader, enjoyed playing golf, bocce and cards, as well as doing Sudoku, crosswords and the Jumble. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 56 years, Mary Pat (Costigan); was the father of Barbara Wahlstrom and her husband Kenneth, Celine Furlong and her husband Richard, James Jr. (Jamie) all of Rockland, and Denise Esposito and her husband John of Kingston. Proud "DziaDzia" to his grandchildren Andrea Furlong, Richard Furlong Jr. and his wife Brittany (Paradis), Desiree Tivnan, John, Julianne, Angelina and Mitchell Esposito, Erik and Morgan Wahlstrom, Brendan, Ryan and Liam Kaszanek and great grandfather of Ellie Furlong. He was the brother of William and his wife Mary (Ford) Kaszanek of Rockland, Joy and her husband Jack Bartlett of Burlington; brother-in-law of Carol (Costigan) Dodge and her late husband Albert J. Sr. of Pembroke, Jean (Costigan) Hunt and her husband James of Dorchester and the late Helen (Costigan) Daley and her husband Paul of Easton. He also leaves behind his devoted companion Kathy Lavery and was loved by several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jim's life on Thursday July 19, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Magoun Biggins funeral home, 135 Union Street Rockland, MA. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday July 20, 2018 at 9:00 AM at Holy Family Church. Burial will follow at Holy Family Cemetery. Donations may be made to The Friends of South Shore Health System Scholarship Fund, South Shore Hospital, 55 Fogg Rd, Box 29, S Weymouth, MA 02190.
Services
Visitation
16:00 PM - 20:00 PM
Funeral Mass
09:00 AM
Burial
10:00 AM
Photos & Video
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Condolences
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05/26/2021
Jim I haved loved u since I was 5! You are the best. I miss you already but am comforted that you are at peace. Family report Cristin needed you to play catfs Your legacy lives on my favorite brother. May you Rest In Peace.
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05/26/2021
Dear Barbara and Celine. I am sorry to hear about your dad. He was a good man. You will be in my prayers.
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05/26/2021
JIM WAS MY FRIEND AND GOLF PARTNER FOR MANY YEARS AND WILL SORELY BE MISSED. HE HELPED WHEN I WAS DOWN AND NEEDED HELP. I COUNDN,T ATTEND HIS SERVICES BECAUSE I AM GETTING CHEMO AND RADATION TREATMENTS. HE WILL FOREVER IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. PETE COOKE - GOLF PARTNER & FELLOW EAGLE
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05/26/2021
Love and prayers to all the Kaszanek family - If there is any consolation, it is in knowing that your Mom and Dad are together again - Enjoyed many good times over the years - May they both rest in peace
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05/26/2021
Dear Celine and Family, So sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. All the wonderful memories of him will get you through this sad time. God bless you all!
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05/26/2021
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. I as in the band as a fellow drummer at Mission with him. He was one of a kind when he sat down at the traps.
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05/26/2021
I'm so sorry for your loss.
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05/26/2021
We are saddened to hear of your loss. Jim was a great guy.
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05/26/2021
I remember Jimmy from the days of the Rockland Jaycees. Jim and Mary Pat were members with my Parents. He was always quick to lend a helping hand and a smile. Jim we will all miss you. R.I.P.
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05/26/2021
We're sending our condolences, thoughts and prayers to Jim's family. We remember him well from Mission Hill and Rockland. He taught Jim drums at Mission Grammar School in the 50's. May he rest in peace.
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05/26/2021
My sincere condolences to the Kaszanek family. Jim was a good friend and colleague that I had the pleasure of knowing and working with for many years. Jim always had a smile on his face and just a pleasure to be around. His work as an Executive Director at Rockland and the good deeds and help he provided to so many will never be fully realized. I was proud to call him a friend.
Joan Pimental
Executive Director - Retired
Plymouth Housing Authority -
05/26/2021
Thoughts and Prayers to the entire family. Kathleen Pearson Dorman
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05/26/2021
Kaszanek family,
Please accept my condolences on Jim's passing. Jim was a great man who donated so much of his time. He had a wonderful heart and a contagious smile. He was one of Rockland's best who the town of Rockland and all of its residents will be forever grateful to! I hope today he is back with your mom and that the both of them are watching over the town from above. I knew him since my little league days and he always was kind to me and others! God Bless! -
05/26/2021
My condolences to your family. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
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05/26/2021
Dear Family, It is with great sadness that I send my condolences to each and every one of you. All my memories of your dad are ones that make me smile. As a member of the People Next Door, your dads talent was the Glue of our sound, the reason for our laughs, and the good times that we all had. His good nature was an inspiration for so many people- you must be very proud of his legacy. Both your parents were treasures to not only you but everyone in Rockland. God grant him peace. Toni Cannon
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05/26/2021
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
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05/26/2021
I am so saddened by Jim's passing. I'll miss his visits and his humor.
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05/26/2021
My condolences to the Kaszanek Family and especially to his brother Bill , my old friend from Roxbury ...... Godspeed James .....
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05/26/2021
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had always enjoyed Jim and his sense of humor. I especially enjoyed him during breaks, on our rehearsals with South Eastern Phil.
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05/26/2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
With deepest sympathy, Steve, Terri & Jenn Heffernan -
05/26/2021
Thoughts and prayers to the family
Dan & Joellen Lattuada -
05/26/2021
Sorry to hear of James passing. May he rest on peace and be with his maker. Tina and Doug Erickson
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05/26/2021
Sorry for your loss.
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05/26/2021
Prayers & Love sent to the Family..Jim will be missed he was a great man !
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05/26/2021
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was such a nice person. I enjoyed all the 'drum corps' activities with him. He will forever rest in peace with his beloved wife, MaryPat.
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05/26/2021
so many happy memories with jimmy and mary pat. I used to call her marycat. we did so much
together in our youth and when they were first married. I see them happy together in heaven.
my deepest sympathies to the family he (they) left behind. -
05/26/2021
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kaszanek family. When I was younger I lived right around the corner from the family . I am sorry for your loss
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