James A. Geleszinski

James A. Geleszinski, 81, of Fountain Hills, Arizona, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2025. A celebration of his life will be held on June 7, 2025, from 12 PM – 4 PM at Hampshire Hills in Milford, New Hampshire.

Born on June 6, 1943, in Buffalo, New York, James grew up in Cheektowaga and attended Maryvale Senior High School. After graduating, he joined the United States Air Force, where he served as a Senior Lineman, traveling the world before being honorably discharged in 1965.

Never one to shy away from adventure, James spent two decades in Alaska, where he worked as a foreman and superintendent for I.B.E.W. Local 1547 in Anchorage, overseeing major electrical infrastructure projects. While there, he earned his bush pilot’s license, was a licensed federal firearms dealer, built and lived in a log cabin, and developed a deep appreciation for the poetry of Robert Service. He also had a few legendary encounters with Alaska’s wildlife—including a few bears—but his greatest discovery was Leslie Hausz Geleszinski, the mother of his two children.

James and Leslie later moved to California, where they welcomed their two exceptional children, Stasiu Geleszinski and Kate (Geleszinski) Jepson. They eventually settled in New Hampshire, where they embraced the beauty and spirit of New England. Tragically, Leslie passed away in 1997 after a years-long battle with breast cancer.

In 2010, James returned to California, where he met Juliana Schmitz, the woman who would become his second great love. The two married in 2014 and later relocated to Fountain Hills, Arizona, in 2018. In retirement, James remained active in his community, serving for five years on the NPOA Architectural Board. James and Juliana loved exploring the southwestern United States, visiting the many beautiful national and state parks the region had to offer.

Over his career, James built an impressive and diverse resume. He was the owner of JAG Construction, specializing in residential building and repairs, for 12 years. He spent four years in commercial sales at Lowe’s, focusing on doors and windows. Before that, he worked as Assistant Superintendent for Sanders Associates, contributing to the construction of communication antennas at Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines.

James will be remembered for his warm smile, sharp wit, and the countless sayings he shared with those he loved—including his favorite, “Measure twice, cut once” (though he didn't always follow his own advice). Whether you knew him as James, Jim, or Jimmy, his favorite roles in life were Jaja (grandfather in Polish) and Papa Bear.

James is survived by his wife, Juliana Geleszinski of Fountain Hills, AZ, his son, Stasiu Geleszinski of Cincinnati, OH, his daughter, Kate; and son-in-law Paul Jepson of Greenland, NH, and their three children, James, Nadia, and Wes.

He will be deeply missed, but his adventurous spirit, wisdom, and love for family will live on in the stories and hearts of all who knew him.

A celebration of life will be held on June 7, 2025, from 12 PM – 4 PM at Hampshire Hills in Milford, New Hampshire. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at bcrf.org.