Robert J. James, Sr.

Robert J. James, Sr., age 87, of Newark, DE, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Born in Yonkers, NY on July 19, 1928, he was a son of the late Walter and Frances (Krylowski) Janeczko. Robert proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge. He graduated from Syracuse University in1952 with a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. Robert began his career with the E.I. DuPont Company as a process engineer in 1952, and was employed by the DuPont Company for his entire career in various engineering capacities at facilities in New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, and Delaware, retiring in 1996. A man of strong faith, he was a longtime parishioner of St. John the Baptist-Holy Angels Parish. He was an avid golfer, baker, and chef. His family fondly remembers his specialties including, homemade English muffins, poppy seed bread, babka bread, and New York style crumb cake. All of his grandchildren were proud to bring his famous holiday themed cupcakes to their classmates and friends. Robert also lent his culinary expertise to the Hope Dining Room in Newark, making their famous chili and earning the nickname, Chili Bob. Bob dearly loved his grandchildren, and attended as many of their sporting events, recitals, and theatre appearances as he could. A highlight of his career as a beloved grandfather were his trips to Lewiston, Maine to cheer on his granddaughter, Erin, at her field hockey games and graduation from Bates College. Robert will be sadly missed by his children who found him to be a tower of strength and love throughout their entire lives. His strong moral compass and support knit his family tightly together. In addition to his parents, Robert was preceded in death by his brothers, Walter Janeczko, Jr. and Edward Janeczko and daughter-in-law, Meredith Morrell James. He is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Alice Marie (Tyne) James; children, Robert J. James, Jr. of Newark, Maureen J. Chandler (Kirk) of Thornton, PA, Kenneth J. James, PhD (Susan M.C.) of Newark, and Carol J. Hoffman, MD (David F. Hoffman, MD) of Landenberg, PA; step brother, John W. Janeczko of St. Augustine, FL; and grandchildren, Erin C. Chandler, David J. and Wyatt J. Hoffman and Melissa James. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Pl., Newark, DE from 6 until 8 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Thursday, July 14, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Church, 200 E. Main St., Newark. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Pkwy., Cary, NC 27513 or by visiting http://www.jimmyv.org/