Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 28th at 9:30am at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Inc. and 10:00am at St. Christine's Church in Youngstown for James R. “Jim” Kravec, 76, who entered into eternal rest on Friday, November 25, 2016.
He was born on January 1, 1940 in Youngstown, the son of Edward W. and Margaret E. (Strasik) Kravec.  Jim attended St. Brendan grade school and graduated in 1957 from Chaney High School.  As a young man, he worked as a field auditor for A & P grocery stores for which he loved to retell stories.  He joined the United States Army in 1963 where he served two years in Germany. Upon his return home, he began working for the City of Youngstown Housing Department where he worked for 30 years in the Community Development Agency as a housing inspector until his retirement in 2000.
Jim married his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Charles, on November 24, 1973 at St. Rose Church in Girard, Ohio and celebrated his 43rd wedding anniversary one day before he died. A long -time member of St. Christine Parish, Jim was active in the church where he worked at the summer festival and helped count weekly collections. Jim loved to bowl and was active in many leagues over the years and he also participated in local bocce leagues.   He loved baseball as well and he coached little league for his son in the 1980s and was thrilled when his favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, won the World Series three times in recent years. He was also a member of the Catholic War Veterans. Jim enjoyed spending Sundays with his extended family at Lake Milton during the summers.  His love of traveling, which began in the Army, continued with yearly trips to Wildwood, New Jersey and frequent trips to Canada.  A true family man, his greatest joy came in spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Jim is survived by his son, Dr. James F. (Dr. Cynthia) Kravec; four grandchildren Jim, Sarah, Michael and Maria, all of Canfield; a brother Edward L. (Gerry) Kravec, a sister Elaine (Richard) Kovach, all of Austintown and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his in-laws, Francis and Mary Charles.
The family would like to thank Dr. John Koval and Dr. Tim Barreiro for their care of Jim over the years.
Friends will be received on Sunday, November 27th from 2-5pm at the Vaschak-Kirila Funeral Home, Inc.

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