James George Urichko passed away at age 85 on Monday, March 15, 2021. Jim was born in Streator, Illinois, on July 27, 1935. A graduate of Streator High School, he served his country through the United States Army, primarily in Germany, during the mid-1950s. Following this service he entered grocery store management with A&P (The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company).

Jim met his sweetheart, Virginia (Ginnie) Ruth Baldwin, in the early 60s. They married in 1967 and began to raise their three boys in Knoxville, Illinois. After almost 25 years with A&P, changes in the grocery industry facilitated a move to Central Florida and the Albertson's chain in 1978. Following retirement from Albertson's in 2000, Jim continued to work with a grocery distributor for years. His strong work ethic and detail diligence made him a valuable asset to each of these employers.

Along with his wife, Ginnie, Jim provided a solid upbringing to his sons with the goal of producing fine citizens who positively contribute to society. He delighted in his grandchildren and prioritized his family over the past few decades. Jim's multi-faceted generosity was legendary to his family. An avid conversationalist, his sincerity and kindness were noted by friends and relatives alike.

While Jim enjoyed a few hobbies in his early years, his life-long passion was being a fan of Chicago sports teams (especially, the Cubs) and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. A card-carrying member of the Die-Hard Cub Fan Club, his Cubbies finally fulfilled a lifelong dream with the 2016 World Series victory. In celebration, Jim took the whole family up to Wrigley Field for a game the following summer - one of the happiest moments of his life.

Serving others was an enjoyable part of Jim's life. During the 1980s he was a deacon and then an elder at Winter Park Christian Church. Over the past 25 years, he loved to serve at Northland Church in a variety of roles. If you were greeted by Jim, he probably held your hand a little too long and bragged about his sons and grandchildren a little too much!

Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Ginnie; sons - Kevin James Urichko (Linda), Brian Lee Urichko (Janene), and James Michael Urichko (Bonnie); and, grandchildren - Kristen Lynn Outlaw (Cameron), Isaac Kevin Urichko, Laura Kathryn Urichko, Aiden Lee Urichko, Ethan Liam Urichko, and Jack Alexander Urichko. He was also quite fond of his nieces - Mary Ann Stack (Ed), Linda Turner (Steve), and Karen Urichko; along with numerous relatives on Ginnie's side of the family. Jim was predeceased by his father, George John Urichko; mother, Evelyn Svetz Urichko; and brother - Kenneth Urichko.

A celebration of life and memorial service will be held at Northland Church, 530 Dog Track Road, Longwood, FL 32750, on Sunday, March 28 at 2:00 p.m. CDC guidelines for social distancing and masks will be observed.
For those who would like to view online, live on March 28th at 2:00 p.m. https://vimeo.com/event/701774/c641f13f08

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a memorial donation to the Parkinson's Association of Central Florida ( www.parkinsoncf.org ) and/or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ( www.stjude.org ).