James Joseph "Jim" Polczynski
1930 - 2026
IN LOVING MEMORY
James Joseph “Jim” Polczynski
Winston-Salem, North Carolina · July 24, 1930 – May 30, 2026 · Age 95
Beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend
James Joseph “Jim” Polczynski, a man of deep personal faith, boundless warmth, and an extraordinary memory for the stories that fill a life well-lived, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2026, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jim spent nearly a century accumulating experiences, relationships, and an inexhaustible supply of jokes, all of which he shared with anyone fortunate enough to sit with him for a while or even just cross his path.
Many people knew Jim by different names, such as Mr. P, Pop-Pop, or simply Dad. But everyone who spent time with him knew him as a loving and generous friend.
Jim was born on July 24, 1930, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he grew up alongside five siblings — Clarence, Leonard, George, Carol, and Richard — in a close-knit family that shaped his love of togetherness and his gift for connection. Those Milwaukee roots followed him everywhere he went.
John 11:25-26: “Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.”
Answering his country’s call, Jim served with distinction in the United States Army and was deployed to Korea in 1951. In a twist of fate where God steered his plans, Jim’s rare blood type caught the attention of the Army, and rather than being sent to the front lines, he was assigned to oversee the kitchens of the officers’ quarters. The assignment not only kept him safe but also kindled a lifelong passion for food service and hospitality. Following his honorable service, Jim enrolled at Michigan State University and earned a degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. This education became the foundation of a rewarding career that would take him from the Midwest all the way to North Carolina.
Among all the chapters of Jim’s long life, few carry more meaning than the summer he spent working at a resort in Missouri, because that is where he met Paula Gredell. The two were both there for summer jobs, and strangers soon became sweethearts. Jim and Paula married in August 1958 in Keokuk, Iowa, beginning 42 years of marriage, family-building, and shared life before Paula’s passing 25 years ago. She was a loving mother and wife, and her memory always remained with him.
Jim’s professional life was a testament to the belief that feeding people well is an act of care. He built his career as a hospital food services administrator, bringing both rigor and warmth to an environment where good nourishment truly matters. His work brought the family to Winston-Salem, where he became the Director of Food Services and led his team at Forsyth Hospital with professionalism and pride for more than 30 years. After his long and rewarding career, he retired in 1995.
Even after retirement, Jim never really stopped working. His talents spilled over into catering, and he served as a caterer for Bassett Furniture’s guests at the renowned Furniture Market in High Point. He cherished his role in creating memorable experiences for clients at one of the industry’s most prestigious events.
Jim also enjoyed his time and extended his talent through a fun “hobby job” at Mrs. Pumpkin’s, a beloved Winston-Salem bakery and catering company. For 15 years, he lent his expertise and decades of experience to help the business flourish – and he made a whole lot of friends along the way.
Jim was an avid golfer, and he shared this passion with friends and family. When a tragic pedestrian accident caused him to lose his leg at 88 years old, he could have slowed down, as many people would have. But Jim did not. He continued to drive, visit his children and grandchildren, tend to his rental properties, and make his rounds at the grocery stores to collect bread and food that he distributed to the community. Even though he could no longer play golf, he still rode in the cart and searched the tree lines for lost balls. His resilience was not a performance; it was a reflection of the man he was, rooted in a faith that kept him grateful and forward-looking.
After Paula’s passing, Jim was fortunate to meet Joy through associates at Forsyth Hospital, and their 24 years of marriage brought him companionship, love, and happiness in the later chapters of his life. Together, Jim and Joy enjoyed shag dancing, time at the beach, and traveling. Jim will also be fondly remembered by his faithful furry companion, Eddie the cat.
Jim was a devoted member of Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church in Winston-Salem, where his faith was both anchor and compass. His devotion to his faith in the Lord was the wellspring of his positive outlook, his graceful acceptance of life’s hardships, and his genuine delight in each new day. He found purpose in his parish community and strength in prayer throughout all his 95 years.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Paula Gredell Polczynski, and his brothers, Clarence, Leonard, and George.
Jim is survived by his wife, Joy Polczynski. He is also survived by his three children and their spouses — Carol and Chip Kennedy, Cathy and Bruce Atkinson, and Alan and Michelle Polczynski — and by four grandchildren: Chandler Kennedy (Ryan Chandler), Grant (Kayla) Atkinson, Claire Atkinson, and Bobby Atkinson, along with his brother and family, Richard and Carol Paul and their son Jason, and his youngest sister, Sister Carol Marie Polzyn (s.s.n.d.).
To know Jim was to be welcomed into his stories, made to laugh by his jokes, and sent away feeling, somehow, that you had known him your whole life. He will be profoundly missed, but his stories and his memory will live on through all who were blessed to call him a friend.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday June 15 at 11;00 at Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church, Winston-Salem, NC. Reception immediately following at Parrish Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to
Saint Leo the Great Catholic Church or Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Winston-Salem.