Obituary of James Allan Studzinski

James Allan Studzinski

October 12, 1945 - July 8, 2023

 James Studzinski died on July 8, 2023 in Loudoun County, VA. The only child of Christine Rutski, he was born in Lackawanna, New York on Oct.

12, 1945. He was reared in Elmira by Christine and Hank Studzinski, where he attended Notre Dame High School. Dubbed “Straz” by his friends, he excelled at baseball and academics. He was also a champion bowler and voted King of his Senior Prom.

Jim had a long and illustrious career in catholic institutions from kindergarten through university in which time he perfected the art of vexing nuns and frequenting the confessionals.

He attended Canisius College with a major in Economics and a minor in Organic Chemistry. At college, Jim was known for being simultaneously on the Dean's List for high academic achievement, while also on probation. Offenses included sneaking off campus, drinking on campus, and skipping classes. He graduated with honors from Canisius College in 1967, and in October the next year he married his best friend and partner in crime, Michele Anne New (“Mikey”). They were happily married for 51 years.

After university, he became a representative with Metropolitan LIfe Insurance Company. Shortly after, he took a job at IBM. He had a fulfilling career there for nearly 20 years, marked by many awards and promotions. Jim and Mikey moved several times over the years to follow his career as an IBM executive. The Studzinski family moved from Elmira where Mikey gave birth to identical twin girls in 1972, Kimberly and Kandace, and made their way to Syracuse, NY. From there they moved to Sterling, VA to Cleveland, OH, and then back to Sterling, where they settled. Nearly 40 years in Sterling led to a large extended friend network.

After his stint at IBM, Jim went on to take the role of Chief Operating Officer at the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (NARF). He also briefly served as Acting Chief Executive Officer of the organization. He finished his career as an independent contractor, working with Spherion and IBM. After retirement, Jim and Mikey enjoyed spending time with friends and family, golfing, and traveling.

Jim was a volunteer at The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Loudoun Elks Lodge #2406 and was instrumental in brokering the lodge’s move to its current location. The lodge became Jim and Mikey’s second home, and they greatly appreciated the caring and generous community there.

Jim was a dedicated husband, loving father, faithful provider, talented businessman, and truly honest man. Not only did he always hold up his end of a deal, he held up his end of the bar. He loved a drink and a good story. He worked hard and played harder. His blunt honesty earned him either respect or infamy. But either way, you always know where you stood with Jim Studzinski – and you never had to wonder if he liked you. He would let you know either way.

After years of wearing suits, he spent his later years accumulating a hefty collection of novelty T-shirts, mostly offensive and largely inappropriate. Much of his wardrobe was dedicated to the NY Giants football team.

He was an excellent caretaker and nursed Mikey during her many illnesses. His ability to accept and move on helped him get through his  toughest days. And even near the end of his life, when he was very ill, he never complained.

He is survived by his daughter, Kandace (Ben) Gilligan and granddaughter, Lola Gilligan of Hobart, Australia; his sister-in-law Patricia (Bob) Bina of Kemper, TX; his sister-in-law  Robin (Tony) Vena of Bristol, CT; nephews Patrick Vena of Cambridge, Devin Vena of Bristol, CT, Rusty Robinson of FL, and niece Stefanie Maurer of San Antonio, TX.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Michele Studzinski and his daughter, Kimberly Anne.

 A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at

3 pm at the Sterling Elks Lodge, 401 West Holly Avenue, Sterling, VA.

In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to assist with funeral expenses. https://everloved.com/life-of/james-studzinski/