James Joseph Fisko

James Joseph Fisko was born in Hammond, IN, on April 26, 1935, to Joseph and Mary (Jefchak) Fisko. His parents; wife, Sharon (Orr); and sister, Mary Margaret (Peggy) Ripp, preceded him in death. Surviving are his daughter Sarah (Thomas) Fisko-Bushong and their children, Nathaniel and Madeline; his son Paul (Lauren) Fisko and their children, Gabriella, Olivia, and Alexander; his “adopted son” Yoshihisa (Natsu) Ikurumi and their children, Gin, Lynn, and Ann; and many nieces and nephews.

Ordained in 1960, Jim served the faithful as a parish priest in the Diocese of Gary, IN. In 1970, he exchanged his religious vocation for that of marriage, wedding Sharon Leah Orr, later welcoming two children. He spent the rest of his life discerning God’s call, organizing and leading a myriad of Christian ministries. In 1981, he was led to St. Joseph County, IN to serve as Executive Director of the United Religious Community. Because of his outstanding community service in areas of faith and justice, Jim was given the keys to the cities of South Bend and Mishawaka, IN. Retiring in 2001, he then became the part-time church liaison and chaplain for Hamilton Grove in New Carlisle, IN until 2010. Jim spent the last two years of his life living in Goodyear, AZ, closer to his children and grandchildren. Friendships with members of the clergy and the many humble people of faith with whom he worked and lived were a great joy to him. Grateful for the loving members of his family, for his companions in ministry, and for countless blessings, he felt, “Thanks be to God!” best summed up the surprising bends and turns of his life.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the 5 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 21, 2024 at Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85012. A private burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Hammond, IN, at a later date. For those unable to attend service in person please join us at this live stream link:  https://youtube.com/live/YJAPh84SvoI?feature=share 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oaklawn Foundation for Mental Health at https://oaklawndonate.org/, the United Religious Community at https://www.urcsjc.org/donate-1, or the South Bend Education Foundation Sharon L. Fisko Endowment at https://www.edfo.org/who-we-are/endowments/sharon-fisko.html