James T. Kapelinski
James Thomas “Kapo” Kapelinski, James to some, Jimmy to others, but Kapo to most.
The youngest child of Ed and Margie Kapelinski, Kapo was born into a bustling home of four children and grew up in Oak Lawn. He was a little boy with a big mind. His role as the bookworm in a grade school play at Roy Clark suited his curious temperament and previewed his destiny as a lifelong student and serious nerd with an enduring personality. As with every phase of his life, Kapo made lasting friendships. After graduating from Richards High School, Kapo proceeded to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from the School of Engineering at the University of Illinois. Jim went on to have a highly successful career in technical sales where he would solve problems for clients and build deep friendships. He provided advanced IT infrastructure and security solutions at National Peripherals, Mindsight and Tusker truly caring about every client, co-worker and partner. Kapo never stopped learning, whether he was unraveling the mysteries of quantum physics, perfecting and sharing his skills as a home chef (years of testing yielded the ultimate chicken piccata), or teaching himself to play new pieces on his classical guitar. For those who were counting (Maggie and Mary Jo), he nearly always got Final Jeopardy. Kapo the competitor had a great love for golf with multiple holes-in-one and a low round of 5 under par. Kapo was a warm, generous, and funny human. Even in his hardest moments, he found a way to bring humor to the situation.
He was a deeply loved son, brother, uncle, and friend. It is impossible to quantify how much he will be missed. James "Kapo" Kapelinski, 63, passed away on July 12, 2026, following a cancer diagnosis in March 2026. The Kapelinski family is grateful to everyone who cared for and supported him in the months that followed.
He is survived by his sisters Margaret Montibeller (Jeff) and Mary Jo Gardner, and his brother Ed Kapelinski (Kirsten); by his nieces and nephew, Margaret Anne, Madeleine, Hannah, Dean, and Sadie; and by a close-knit circle of friends who were, in every way that counted, family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Margaret Kapelinski, and by his brother-in-law, Bill Gardner.
Mass will be held on Friday, August 28, 11:00 at Saint Linus Church, 10300 Lawler Ave, Oak Lawn Illinois.
Arrangements were entrusted to Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 6755 West 95th Street, Oak Lawn, IL 60453.
Donations are welcomed to the American Cancer Society, https:// donate.cancer.org/, in lieu of flowers.