James Harry “Jim” Panesci of Chambersburg, PA, formerly of Fulton, MD and Silver Spring, MD went to be with our Lord peacefully on Friday, September 29.
Originally from south St. Louis, Jim was a graduate of Parks College in St. Louis with a degree in aeronautical engineering. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and loved to reminisce about his days on the USS Forestall.
After marrying the love of his life Ruth (Kutzora) Panesci, in Springfield, IL, he moved to Tennessee to work for Arnold Engineering and then to Maryland where he pursued a career at John’s Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory as a Jet Propulsion Engineer. He retired in 1990 to pursue his hobbies and volunteer work.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice (Drum), and step-father, Carl.
Jim was very proud of his family and loved them very much. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth, and his three daughters Jane Thompson (Bill) of Ft. Mills, SC, Annette Grzybinski (Pete), of Bedford, NH, and Ellen Roper, of Rockville, MD. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Sarah (Grzybinski) Bajema (Brady) of Whitinsville, MA, Rachel Abbinante of Chicago, IL, Mark Grzybinski (Tessa) of Sparks, MD, and Lauren and Ely Roper of Silver Spring, MD, and his two great grandchildren, Margot and Harry Grzybinski. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law Florence Matheny of Springfield, IL.
Jim was very active in the Lutheran Church serving in many volunteer roles at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD and Concordia Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD. He was committed to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jim loved to play bridge, work in his garden, and play golf. He was also a military history enthusiast.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name can be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, Hagerstown, MD, online here.
Visitation is Friday, October 6, at 9 a.m., at Concordia Lutheran Church, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to Kelso-Cornelius Funeral Home.
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