Obituary
James J. Kaczmarz, born on June 2, 1951, in Buffalo, NY, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, in Cape Coral, FL. surrounded by his family. Jim was a beloved son, father, brother, and friend, known for his love of fun through good music, performing onstage and simply enjoying life with friends and family.
James was the cherished son of Bernard and Irene Kaczmarz of Buffalo. Jim is survived by his beloved children, Adam (Susie Harbeson) Kaczmarz of Ft. Myers, FL, Ryan Kaczmarz of Buffalo, NY, Nicole Kaczmarz of Buffalo NY, Jessica Cargile (Tim) of Fort Myers and his brother, Joseph (Dina) Kaczmarz of Buffalo, NY. He was the dear friend of Helen Coleman. He was grandfather to Amber always in his heart.
Jim took pride in his family roots and often shared stories of his upbringing in Buffalo. Jim was successful in outside sales for Fasco Fans in Buffalo and after his move to Florida continued in furniture sales. While he found stabile work in sales, his heart was drawn to fun passions that defined his one-of-a-kind character. Throughout his life, he loved performing in close-up magic, acting in community theater, doing shows as one of the Blues Brothers and even embodying the spirit of a pirate, or a cowboy.
Jim loved riding around Fort Myers in his beloved old jeep with Jimmy Buffett songs blasting for all to hear. He really embraced the Margaritaville culture and had a lanai adorned with a Tiki bar, parrots and pirates. He will always be remembered by many for those moments of music and merriment, that we are sure are continuing still.
In honoring James’s life, his family has requested that donations be made to a charity of one’s choice. A private memorial service will be held to celebrate his life at a later date.
One of our many, many fun times. Always wearing funny hats and singing. We had an amazing friendship for 20 plus years. Good times and bad. You were always an amazing friend and I love you very much. Jim always spoke so highly of his parents and his son Ryan. RIH my friend.
Pops
AlI I know is that I love you, Dad. I always have. And whether you measure time in minutes or in miles, I always will.
I am so proud you were my dad- more than you ever would have believed. You were so kind. So full of love and humility. You were cool, fun, smart, hilarious, charming and had more charisma than anyone I've ever met, old man.
You deserved a better final chapter then what life wrote for you. And while I know life has done much worse to many of men- even to some of my closet friends- I don't ever think I'll be able to appreciate that silver lining. I've barely even told anybody yet because I don't even know how to talk about you to someone without just breaking down. Even worse is I always want to talk about you, to everyone!!!
You'll never know how much I've told humanity about you but just ask any co-worker who I've forced close-up magic lessons on, any bar fly who's seen me do karaoke sober, or anyone who's ever watched me ice skate or perform stand-up... they all know where I got it from pops.
I'll forever lecture anyone who mentions Universal Studios in my presence about how to go there properly and I'll never respect any Jeep without zipper windows. You showed me the world pops, from skating in Cazenovia to snorkeling in Cabbage Key.
You taught me so much about life. The biggest thing you taught me is how much family and friendship emphatically outweighs money. How valuable it is to stop, and remember the little things. Thank you for all the color you brought to this dull world, I promise to keep adding more.
I'm gonna miss you so fucking much dad. I already do. Losing one of the only people that will ever truly love me unconditionally is almost too much to bear right now, if I dwell it on it for even more than a moment. The silence you left is deafening.
But I guess that's a good thing, right pops? Its shows that even in an infinite universe, the absence of your light makes the whole place a little dimmer. Proof of how bright you shined while you were in here. Still though, I'll never stop looking for the remanence of your red-light dad, I promise... and as soon I figure out how to hop dimensions I'll come searching for ya. I'll make sure to start in the ones with the most babes, beach bars, and Jimmy Buffett cover bands I can find. So, keep a margarita ready, and your fins to the left for me.
I guess until then, the only thing left to do now is say the hardest part...
Goodbye Dad.
I love you.
Goodbye dad.