James Bruzek, age 66, of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., died on Monday, October 31, 2016. He was born in Minneapolis on May 5, 1950. James retired in 2015 after a 40-year career with Abbott Labs. He had a lifelong love of classical music and enjoyed playing the violin for Sunday services at the Presbyterian Church in Waukegan. He spent the last few years lovingly caring for his wife Faye. He also enjoyed vintage cars.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Faye Bruzek, of Winthrop Harbor; two step-daughters, Diane Neiweem, of Green Oaks, Ill., and Deborah (Richard) Leech, of Waukesha, Wis.; one sister, Fran (Bruce) Biagini, Macomb, Ill.; two nephews, Jeffrey (Mary) Biagini, Lake Villa, Ill., and Dr. Tim (Sydni) Biagini, Macomb; and one great niece, Olivia Biagini. He will also be remembered fondly as "Papa Jim" by his step-grandchildren Corrie Leech (Eric Lee), Chicago, Andrew Leech, Chicago, Benjamin Leech, Milwaukee, James Neiweem, Green Oaks and Julia Neiweem, LaFayette, Ind.
James was preceded in death by his father, Frank Bruzek, who played violin for the Minnesota Orchestra for 45 years, and Margaret Bruzek, his mother, of Minneapolis.
Visitation will be Monday, November 7 from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon at the First Presbyterian Church, 122 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Waukegan, Ill. A funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon at the church. Interment will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan have been suggested.
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