"Our thoughts are with Jim's family and friends at this sad time."
In loving memory of
James J. Wenskus
August 17, 1935 - February 14, 2022
James J. Wenskus, Jr., was born in Rochester, NY, to his Lithuanian parents, Anna and James Wenskus, on August 17, 1935. He graduated from Aquinas Institute and, pursuing his interest in science, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in chemistry in 1957.
He worked for several years at Stromberg-Carlson before moving to the Manufacturing Research and Engineering Organization of Eastman Kodak Company where he stayed for 33 years. In his time there, he built one of the country's first computer-monitored injection-molding machines and pioneered numerous plastics molding techniques and technologies, earning seven U.S. and numerous foreign patents in the process.
Jim met his wife, Judy, in 1964 and married in 1966. They remained together for 55 years, raising two sons, Tim and Ted, in a loving home in Greece, NY, along with several cats.
He was active in the USAF Auxiliary/Civil Air Patrol (CAP) for most of his life, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring as Rochester Region Group Commander in 1994. He then acted as CAP Communications Officer for the Finger Lakes region of New York, where he pioneered a digital radio communication packet network for support of CAP search-and-rescue and disaster relief missions in New York State, including missions during 9/11.
He was also active in numerous professional and non-profit organizations, ranging from the Society of Plastics Engineers, the National Science Foundation, and the Rochester Council of Scientific Societies, where, as President, he oversaw a mini-grant program for science teachers by providing up to $250 for science classroom projects.
Jim's interests were far-reaching. He was a radio amateur for 70 years, specializing in digital communications, and was also interested in meteorology, astronomy, science fiction, Egyptology, food, classical music, Biblical archaeology, and (in his own words) "prehistoric geocatastrophism and its derivative mythos." But above all, he loved his family.
James J. Wenskus, Jr., of Greece, passed away on February 14, 2022. He is predeceased by his parents, James & Anna Wenskus. He is survived by his wife, Judith Wenskus; sons, Timothy Wenskus & Edward Wenskus.
James' life story will be shared during his visitation, Sunday, February 20, from 1-4 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane, (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). His funeral Mass will be celebrated, Monday, February 21, 10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 2400 W. Ridge Rd. Immediately following, James will be laid to rest in St. Agnes Cemetery in Clifton Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to, Humane Society @ Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Rd., Fairport, NY 14450 in James' memory.
Tributes
"I served with Jim on the Injection Molding Division Board of Directors and came to respect Jim for his enthusiasm and dedication to the education of plastics. His commitment to helping young learners and teachers was commendable. Jim was a great friend, and I will miss him being on the Board. Judy, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. May Jim rest peacefully in God's blessings. Hoa Pham"
"First time I met Jim was late 1989. He was the sponsor of the Eastman Kodak grant for my Ph.D. research in injection molding and I was reporting out to him and his colleague. He was always supportive of my work and offered recommendations along the way. We were working on recycling strategies in 1990's (way ahead of time). He was very passionate about injection molding. Since then, I met Jim at various SPE annual events and also local chapter board meetings. My deepest condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace."
"Jim Wenskus... He was a man passionate about plastics and education! I first met him in the early 2000's on a flight to/from a plastics event. Immediately I was struck by his enthusiasm around everything plastic! That initial meeting planted a seed in me to volunteer in activities that I'm passionate about. Thank you, Jim, for that inspiration. I am forever grateful. Your friends, Jeremy."
"I first met Jim in 1991 when I joined the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Injection Molding Division Board of Directors. Over the next few years, I spent more time with Jim when I became a member of the SPE Rochester NY Section Board of Directors and as one of my customers at Eastman Kodak Company when I worked for the Dow Chemical Company. We became very good friends over that period. He made many outstanding contributions to the Eastman Kodak Company, the SPE, and the plastics industry. He received the SPE Distinguished Member Award, an honor very few people have received. Education was always extremely important to Jim. He loved training people and sharing his knowledge of plastics. He spent many years working with the youth of Rochester NY by actively participating in a Spring Science Fair. He set up an injection molding machine to make screwdrivers with plastic handles for the kids who attended. You could see the enjoyment he was having sharing science with those who attended the Science Fair. After some of the IMD Winter Meetings we had in Florida, he and I would spend a weekend visiting Disney World, Cape Canaveral, and Universal Studios. He and I had a lot of fun on those visits. I will miss Jim very deeply. He was a great person, scientist, and more importantly a great friend and mentor. My deepest condolences to Judy and the Wenskus family. Rest in Peace, Jim. "
"Judy and Family, I knew Jim for about the last 10+ years. I was always struck by his passion for education and outreach. When I met him at your home to learn the basics of being the IMD Treasurer, he shared many of his passions with me. Jim was a leader and an inspiration to many. May he rest in peace. You and your family are in my thoughts."