James Thomas Poulakos

On October 7, 1943 in Youngstown, OH the Lord blessed Peter and Thelma Poulakos with their second child. It was a beautiful baby boy. He was named James Thomas Poulakos. There was great joy in the Poulakos household. The joy however would turn to great concern when the doctor informed the new parents that James Thomas had Down syndrome. The doctor further indicated that James would never learn to walk or talk. His advice to Peter and Thelma was to place him in an institution and forget about him for that would be the easiest and best thing to do for him and the rest of the family.The doctor's advice fell on deaf ears. Peter and Thelma brought baby James home and loved and cared for him and never told their seven other children that he had Down syndrome. What would that doctor say if he knew that James Thomas lived 67 years 4 months and 4 days?James 'Jimmy' Poulakos passed away February 4, 2011 surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his parents; Peter D. Poulakos (1973) and Thelma Bainbridge Poulakos (2002) and a sister Georgianne (1961). Jimmy leaves behind sisters: Teria Claire (Butch) Ross Columbiana, OH., Donnajean (Dennis) Ruble Sidney, OH, Esther Lee Pederson and Rody Reed of Cincinnati, OH, Elizabeth Ann (Ted) Warmoth, Girard, OH, JoAnn (Dave) Lataster, Xenia, OH and brother Peter(Cindy) New Middletown, Ohio. He will be greatly missed by his nephews Michael Ross, Daniel Ruble, Peter Poulakos, Chip Morley, Nathan Warmoth and nieces: Michaelle Ross, Dana Ruble, Jennifer Warmoth, April Marchese, Mandy Garner, Jamie Morley and Sarah Morley. Jimmy was also a wonderful uncle to 8 great nieces and nephews.Jimmy grew up in the Youngstown, OH area and attended programs through the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities when they became available in the 1960's. He moved to Sidney, OH in 1993 and has been a loyal employee of S&H Products. Jimmy was known for unconditional love of people, his wonderful manners, his beautiful smile that would light up anyone who met him and his forever love of Lawrence Welk. For nine years he lived with his sister Donnajean and husband Dennis here in Sidney. For the past 6 months he was a resident at Dorothy Love Retirement Community Center. He will be remembered as The Best Sorry (board game) player, giver of peppermints, and his ability to charm every woman by telling them how beautiful they were and kiss their hand. Chivalry lived forever in Jimmy's heart.At a time like this, Jimmy's family believes there is a sorrow for which no heart could ever be prepared. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 7:00 PM at Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home in Sidney with John Romer, a family friend. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-7 PM. Funeral services will be held again on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at Kelley-Robb Funeral Home, 709 North Main Street, Hubbard, Ohio 44425. Friends may call at the funeral home there from 12 Noon until 2:00 PM. Funeral services will follow at the funeral home at 2:00 PM with Pastor Joe DeLapa.. Burial will follow at Belmont Park Cemetery, Youngstown, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to S and H Products Senior Programs, 435 South Stolle Dr., Sidney, Ohio 45365. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed to the Poulakos family on Salm-McGill and Tangeman Funeral Home's web site at: www.salm-mcgillandtangemanfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Thomas Poulakos, please visit our floral store.