James T. Rykowski

Naugatuck-James T. Rykowski, age 81, beloved husband of Linda (Ouellette) Rykowski, passed away on Friday February 7, 2025 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a long illness.

     James was born in Waterbury, CT on July 19, 1943, in the middle of our last World War. He was the son of the late Theodore and Olga (Juzwishen) Rykowski. Though born in Waterbury, he spent his whole life as a proud resident of Naugatuck (Union City, if you asked him). He was Union City’s unofficial historian, able to recount stories, characters, and events which helped shape the town as it’s known today. 

     James worked for many years in several different professions, which led to his immense wealth of knowledge on an extremely wide variety of topics. He was a highly skilled craftsman, who was capable of building or repairing nearly anything. Jim was literally able to make something out of nothing. If it could be fixed, Jim could fix it. And if it couldn’t be fixed, Jim could probably still fix it. Always proud of his title as “Mr. Magnifying Glass”, his unending commitment to quality, detail, and precision in his work brought him praise and respect from those who knew him and his work ethic. 

     Professionally, Jim worked for many years as a licensed printer, eventually retiring from the Elm Press (of Thomaston, and Terryville).  “Jimmy” or “Razz”, as he was known to his friends and family, could be found for many years at Naugatuck High School, Roller Magic, High Rollers, or even the canal trail in Cheshire enjoying his rollerblades with his kids. His love of rollerblading lasted well into his 70’s. Jimmy loved dogs, and he was rarely separated from his Apple Head Chihuahuas, “Lucy” and “Pepper”. In more recent years, he relished every opportunity to visit the family’s property in Northern Maine, where he enjoyed the peace and solitude found in the woods of Aroostook County. Jim was also a car and plane enthusiast, who had a keen eye for classic American automobiles and aircraft. Able to recognize an engine by its sound alone, or the year, make, and model of a car by sight, his automotive and aeronautical knowledge was unmatched. 

     In addition to his wife of 45 years, Linda, Jim leaves his family to honor his memory, sons Timothy Rykowski and his wife Anne of Canton, Michael Rykowski and his wife Heidi, Anthony Rykowski and his wife Colleen, all of Naugatuck; his loving grandchildren Abigail, A.J., Shelby, Michael, Theodore, and Charles; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins spread across the United States.  He was predeceased by his brother Kenneth Rykowski. 

     Visitation will be held on Friday February 14, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Church, 4 Union City Road, Prospect. To send an on-line condolence or share a memory, please visit http://www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.  In lieu of lowers, memorial contributions in Jame's memory may be made to Special Olympics Connecticut@soct.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James T. Rykowski, please visit our floral store.