James W. Banasiewicz, 72, of Berlin, passed away comfortably after a courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday (Feb. 13, 2024). Born in New Britain, on Jan. 29, 1952, the son of the late Lucian and Helen (Swider) Banasiewicz, he lived in Berlin since 1985. During his career, he was both an auto and a machine mechanic, and more recently a site manager for several buildings. He retired in June of 2023. His love for automobiles, led him to be a classic car enthusiast and he enjoyed participating in car shows where he won a number of trophies.  His passion for boating led him to owning a number of pontoon boats over the years and he loved giving friends and family boat rides and fishing lessons on Highland Lake.

Jim is survived by his wife of 38 years, Barbara (Karpiej) Banasiewicz; his brother, Lucian and his wife, Paula Banasiewicz, two sisters, Nancy and her husband, Clayton Dubay, Susan and her husband, Nicholas Mathien, his sister-in-law, Janice Banasiewicz, his sister-in-law Mary Ann and her husband Stephen Varga, his sister-in-law Elizabeth Karpiej, several nieces and nephews and his feathered companion, Charlie Bird. Jim was predeceased by his brother Robert Banasiewicz and brother-in-law David Karpiej.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday (Feb. 24, 2024) 10:00 AM at St. Paul’s Church,  485 Alling St. Kensington. Burial will follow in Maple Cemetery 1165 Worthington Ridge Berlin. Visitation will be Saturday (Feb. 24th) from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society, 111 Founders Plaza 2nd floor, East Hartford, CT 06108.