James "Jim" Jakubowski, of Cedarburg, peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, August 21, 2025, after an extended illness, at Lawlis Family Hospice in Mequon. He was 81 years old.

Jim was born in Milwaukee on April 17, 1944, the son of John and Jean (nee Pehmoeller) Jakubowski. Jim grew up in Glendale and graduated from Nicolet High School with the class of 1962.

On May 2, 1970, Jim married the love of his life, Cathleen Chavez at St. John's Cathedral in Milwaukee.

Jim led a distinguished and accomplished career in the shipping and industrial sectors. He served as Assistant Manager of Vessel Operations for Sealand in Puerto Rico, where his work contributed to the efficiency and success of maritime logistics. Later, he moved back to Wisconsin to help run the family business and served as Vice President and Regional Sales Manager at Chavez-Flamme Corporation in Milwaukee. He continued his career in material handling at Industrial Kinetics in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he retired in 2018.

Beyond his professional life, Jim was a man of deep faith and commitment to his community. For over three decades, he served as an usher at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, offering his time and presence to support the spiritual life of his parish.

Jim found great joy in the outdoors and cherished time spent fishing up north and in Canada. His annual fishing trip was a tradition he always looked forward to. He also had a lifelong love for the sound of the ocean-a reminder of both his time in Puerto Rico and his many trips to Florida with his family. A devoted sports fan, Jim rarely missed a chance to cheer on the Milwaukee Brewers or the Green Bay Packers.

Jim is lovingly remembered by his wife Cathy, son Jason (Lynn) Jakubowski and daughter Jenifer (George) Lewis. He is further survived by his four grandchildren: Meghan Lewis, Gretchen Lewis, Jay Jakubowski and Leo Jakubowski, his brother Jack (Mina) Jakubowski, nephew John Jakubowski, niece Michelle Jakubowski, great-nephew Jack Jakubowski, great-niece Mia Jakubowski, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father John Jakubowski, his mother Jean Opetz, and stepfather Raymond Opetz.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 1 PM, at St. Francis Borgia Church, 1375 Covered Bridge Road, Cedarburg. Father Patrick Burns will preside over the Mass.

Jim will be laid to rest at St. Francis Borgia Cemetery in Mequon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation (https://t2t.org).

The Jakubowski family wish to thank the nurses from Horizon Hospice for their support and kindness during this time. The Eernisse Funeral Home, Cedarburg, is honored to serve the Jakubowski family. Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com