James E. Babicki

James E. Babicki

Died peacefully on June 28, 2024, at Lightways Hospice and Serious Illness Care.

Born in Aurora, IL, Jim was a son of Edward and Frances (Née Zagorce) Babicki. He was a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Milwaukee, WI. 

Jim was a baker by trade for over 30 years, having spent most of those years in the family business; Babicki’s Hometown Bakery and he retired from Joseph Fisher School in Joliet.

He was a member of KSKJ Lodge #29 and attended Holy Cross and St. Mary Nativity Catholic Churches for many years.

Jim loved baking, cooking, working out and weightlifting. He enjoyed watching the Bulls, Blackhawks, Bears and the White Sox.

Survivors include his loving wife of 36 years, Dena S. (Née Zigrossi) Clark-Babicki; special stepsons, Dave (Tina) Clark and Don Clark; special step-grandson, David Clark; sister-in-law, Renee Zigrossi; special niece, Jamie (Dan) Kwasneske and family, Buster; numerous cousins and longtime friends, Carl Newey and Mike Turk. He was a kind and loving man and always ready to help anyone. 

He will be truly missed by his family and all who knew him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Frances Babicki; brother Gary Babicki; special stepson Daniel Clark; brothers-in-law, Sam Zigrossi, Angelo Zigrossi and Anthony “Tony” Zigrossi and his Yorkies, Koko and Mia. Private services were held and Jim was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Jim’s memory to: Lightways Hospice - 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 - Lightways.org, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – www.stjude.org or Padre Pio Foundation of America – padrepio@padrepio.com 

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.