James David Rajski
April 22, 1956 - April 13, 2018
Obituary
MADISON-James David Rajski, age 61, of Madison, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 13, 2018, at Agrace HospiceCare after a lifetime of struggles with heart problems. He was born on April 22, 1956, in Stevens Point, Wis., the son of Clifford Rajski and Evelyn (Busse) Schmidt. James graduated from Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) 1974, and Fox Valley Technical College in 1976, with an Associate Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Cookery. His passions were Star Trek, Dragons, Dr. Who and various other science fiction tales. James was an avid reader, loved to play the drums and cook. James’s culinary talents allowed him to enjoy the challenges of the kitchens in The Concourse Hotel, Oakhill Correctional Center, UW Hospital and Clinics, UW Unions, Gaylord Catering, Liz Waters Residence Hall and The Legend at Bergamot Country Club. Starting in the Madison area in 1977, and retiring in 2016. His specialties were his soups and sauces. He considered the time he spent baking and cake decorating as playtime. His biggest joy was spending time with his family and friends. James is survived by his mother Evelyn (Busse) Schmidt of Whiting; son, Clifford Rajski of Madison; daughter, Gwendolyn (Phanindr) Auckloo of Ewing, NJ; ex-wife, Gail Rajski of Madison; four brothers, Robert (Jean) Rajski of Menasha, Richard Rajski of Stevens Point, Kristopher Schmidt of Westmont, IL and Erik Schmidt of Stevens Point; sister, Diane (Kevin) Grezenski of Stevens Point; and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Joseph Rajski; and brother, Donald Rajski. A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2018. Burial will be held at Guardian Angel Catholic Cemetery in Stevens Point on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. with a luncheon to follow at the Sky Club, 2202 Post Rd., Plover, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in James’s name to Madison Area Music Association, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church of Cottage Grove or Boy Scouts of America Glacier Edge Council. "...what a long, strange trip it's been." Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Dr.
(608) 221-5420
Events
Memorial Gathering
Fri May 11, 2018 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Graveside Service
Sat May 12, 2018 @ 12:30 PM CDT
Guardian Angel Cemetery • 1232 Wilshire Blvd., Stevens Point, WI 54481
Photos
No photos of James have been shared yet.
Memories
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Chris Schaefer
Other •
I am so grateful to have called JD a very close friend. I feel privileged to have known and loved him. My favorite memories include Easter Morning Breakfast at Parkside. He was always so proud to make wonderful food for his church family. He always had copies of the recipes for us.
My prayers for his family and friends. He was a wonderful man. He had much love to share and his struggles have come to an end.
HC
Holly Cobb
Other •
From the time I was a teenager, my brother-in-law showed me such love and caring. He shared the best-of-the-best music with me so that I could grow up with "culture." He always had a smile and a chuckle for me. And a fair amount of teasing, as a good brother does. Everyone should have such a person in their life who shows one how to find the humor in everything. I was lucky to call him family.
Holly (Thorne) Cobb
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Lynne Toseff
Other •
Gwen, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. I have many wonderful memories of you while working on our yearbook staff at La Follette. Prayers to you and your family.
KJ
Kathleen Johnson
Other •
Cliff, I did not really know your father but I do know that he cared about and inspired you to be a loyal son and a good person. Take enough time to grieve so that you are left with all the happy memories of you dad and family.
KJ
Kristopher J.Schmidt
Other •
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Love you man you truly lived this to the very end.
Footnotes:
DP
Deborah peters
Other •
My stepbrother and we used hang out in basement he used play music we would have fun with our friends and he was a good cook and a awesome stepbrother I will miss him we grow up lost time since my dad passed away but he's with angels now in heaven