James G. Yurak 1936-2024

Ever comfortable in a crowd, Jim was born March 12, 1936, in Youngstown, the youngest of five children to the late Vincent and Angeline Yurak. He grew up on the south end of town and took pride in his Croatian roots all

of his life.

Jim excelled in school and sports, and upon graduation from Woodrow Wilson High School, earned a scholarship to Colgate University, where he captained the football team and studied history.

Jim spotted the love of his life, Monica Ferenchak, across the room at a dance class when he was 15 years old and the two have cheered, challenged and supported each other for over 70 years. After marrying in 1956, Jim and Monica waltzed through multiple continents, states and homes, eventually welcoming four children, nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren into their big-hearted family.

During his long career in sales, Jim followed opportunities to Dearborn, Michigan; Trumbull, Connecticut; Hudson and even Amsterdam. Over the years, his warm and welcoming demeanor won him friends and opportunities from the office to the grocery store.

He and Monica returned to Ohio in 1976 to build their dream house and enjoyed many years of traveling with friends and family, playing tennis and settling in for a good PBS mystery.

When hosting and toasting at holiday events, Jim was often found in the kitchen. Whether his famous breakfast spread, a perfectly seasoned steak or countless batches of homemade french fries, there was no stopping by the Yurak home without being fed. He held court at the kitchen table for decades armed with musings to share from the latest issue of the New York Times or an impressive history tome he had just finished. His memory for specific details from church history to armed conflict across the globe never ceased to amaze his assembled audience.

Never at a loss for words, Jim also had a song for every occasion. He adored the golden era of music from the 1930s and ’40s and lovingly chose songs for each member of the family based on their name. His voice would often boom out mid-conversation because a turn of phrase made him think of a sentimental favorite and these spontaneous concerts will be greatly missed by all.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Monica; children, Kathleen (John) Polley, Christine (William) Briner, Karen Yurak and James (Johanna) Yurak; grandchildren, Caitlin (Donald) Lassus, Meredith (Ross) McNamara, Jonathan (Katie) Polley, Alexander (Vanessa) Polley, Jillian (Brandon) Rowe, and Silas, Samuel, Charles and Matthew Yurak; and his great-grandchildren.

A Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. Mary Church, with a private family gathering to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of Western Reserve or Hudson Emergency Medical Services.

In memory of Jim, make sure to sing a little more often, eat a slice of heavily buttered ciabatta toast and show love to others so that “all will be well with the world.”

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