James R. Mastny, 67, of Westchester IL, formerly of Berwyn IL, died December 29, 2024 in his home, lovingly tended by his family, following an eleven month battle with cancer. He was born August 23, 1957 in Hinsdale IL to George and Aloysia (Sirovatka) Mastny. Jim attended St. Leonard Elementary School and Morton West High School in Berwyn IL, and Morton College in Cicero IL where he obtained a liberal arts degree. Jim specialized in sourcing commercial truck parts and brake systems, and spent thirty-two years of his career as a manager with Ozinga Bros, Inc., until his illness necessitated an early retirement. He was reintroduced to the ultimate love of his life, Patricia Patterson, in 2012, and they were married for eight happy years prior to his passing.

Jim was a good egg. He had a way of making every person he met feel seen, heard, and taken care of. He was a vegetarian who loved chocolate milk and hated vegetables, who ate peanut butter but never jelly. Jim excelled at baking bread and pies and making waffles, and the pasta sauce and pickles he canned every year started with the things he triumphantly grew in the backyard. Many knew him as "the Bird Man," and at one point he had 21 bird friends sharing his home. His need to be outdoors could be appeased by taking his dogs for a walk, but he was happiest on a bicycle ride, kayaking, cross country skiing, or on a camping and hiking trip, and always with family and friends. He was an avid reader, a master bicycle mechanic, could tell you the difference between concrete and cement, had a song for every topic of conversation, and loved going to the opera (there's no sleep like opera sleep). In parting, he didn't often say goodbye; he would give you a hug and admonish, "You be good." Or not!

Jim is survived by his wonderful wife Patricia. The fourth of eight siblings, he leaves behind Ellen (Jerry) Patterson of Waterman, Frank (Diane) Mastny of Berwyn, Jeanie (Dan) Brown of Addison, Chris (Kathy) Mastny of Sycamore, Miles (Yadi) Mastny of Darien, as well as sisters-in-law Julie (Paul) Mastny and Mary (Robert) Mastny, cousins Catherine (John) Pokropinski and Barbara Curle, and a great multitude of beloved nieces and nephews and their children. He was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brothers Bob and Paul.

Services are held at Hursen Funeral Home, SW corner of Roosevelt & Mannheim Roads, Hillside/Westchester, IL on Saturday, January 4 from 3-8 pm. He will be cremated, and interred at a later date.