James Patrick Bendkowski "Ben or Benny", 82, passed away on November 10, 2023, at home. He was born March 17, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of the late Robert Lewis Bendkowski and Evelyn (Kepp) Bendkowski Skoog.
He served in the US Army from 1963 to 1965. In 1967, he married his life-long school sweetheart, Nancy Lasota. They settled in the Chicago area in the town of Beverly until they moved to Sarasota, Florida, in 1979 with their two daughters. They would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary January 7, 2024.
James was a loyal long-time member of the American Legion Post 312 and the DAV Chapter 18 in Bradenton. He also loved golfing, going on a yearly Cruise and riding his Harley Davidson with his friends.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Alan Bendkowski; sisters, Barbara Burdiak, and Grace Gorman. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Lasota Bendkowski; brother, Robert Francis Bendkowski of Granville, Illinois; daughters, Susan Keffel and her husband, Edward, of Sarasota and Amy Flanagan and her husband, Erick of Myakka, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service for immediate family will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, FL.
