Obituary of Edwin James Gawinski

Edwin James “Jim” Gawinski, 73 of Apricot Way died suddenly on Friday, April 3, 2020, at Saratoga Hospital. He was born on November 3, 1946, and was the son of the late Frank and Sophie Krause Gawinski. He has an older brother Francis (Claire ) who resides in West Seneca, NY. Jim was the ultimate people person from an early age. He was a high school sports star at West Seneca West High School in basketball and swimming. He enlisted in the US Army for 3 years and served in Korea. He was honored with an Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. He also met his wife (also military) at Ft Gordon, GA. They were engaged in 2 months and married by December 1968. After the Army, Jim’s talents for drumming and singing with the late Stan Szelest, provided an income for the young couple, until Jim finished school. Jim was a graduate of SUNY Buffalo and Erie Community College (Optician). He worked for American Optical and other optical organizations where he held many National Sales Manager roles and his most recent position where he helped develop the safety eyewear line for Protective Industrial Products (Latham, NY). Jim enjoyed working, but not as much as spending time with his wife and kids. He loved watching his boys play baseball and enjoyed sitting on his back deck, year round, to talk sports, listen to music with his family and to call his brother nightly. Jim is the beloved husband of over 51 years, to Sandra Pickett Gawinski, whom he married on 12/14/1968, devoted father of Andrew (Judi) and John (Kristen) and cherished “Papa” of Joseph “JJ” and Isabella “Bella” Gawinski. He is survived by several nieces and nephews. He was a communicant of St. Peter’s Church in Saratoga Springs, NY. Due to the limitations of Covid-19, memorial service and military honors will be in the future when lifted. Arrangement have been entrusted by the family to the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 Rt. 9 Clifton Park, NY 12065 Interment will be in the Gerald BH Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY.