Jim passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 29, 2011. He died of heart disease. Jim was staying at his friend Jimmy Preston's home in Florida. There will be a graveside ceremony at Mount Hope Cemetery 3751 Market Street, San Diego, Ca. 92102 Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 2:30 PM Our family moved to El Cajon, Ca. in 1960. Jim went to Meridian Elementary, Greenfield Jr. High, Granite Hills and El Cajon High. Jim was a "nomad" and traveled from place to place in his lifetime. He worked at various jobs, could fix or build anything from a toaster to a foundation. He also liked working on cars. I can remember him fixing cars when he was 15 years old living in El Cajon. He particularly enjoyed his work with the water jet cutting system of granite and tile in Las Vegas and produced stone and tile in many Las Vegas Casinos and Hotels. He was very creative and always "inventing" something. Jim also enjoyed cooking and his nephews will remember him for his great "chicken soup" Jim had a big heart and would do anything for his family and friends. He maintained his friendships back to his school days. He was living in Santa Barbara during 2009 and 2010 and was sober, working, had friends and family around him and was happy. Our Christmas that year was so fun with Jim and his nephews. While opening our gifts, Jim and Steve came in from the garage with a big flat screen TV for me and Bill. We were so surprised and it made him so happy to be able to do that for us. Our Mom and Dad have passed away and Jim will be buried with our Mom and our Grandma and Grandpa LaPlaca in San Diego. He is survived by his brother Jay Sztuk and sister-in-law, Joanna, who live in Maryland, and me, his sister, Joanne Stoltz and brother-in-law Bill, of Santa Barbara. He leaves his Aunt Josie and Uncle Angelo of Santa Clara and too many cousins to mention. My son Mike planned a wonderful reunion in Palm Springs for my 70th birthday and Jay had arranged for Jim to come to Palm Springs and surprise me. There were over 50 of us cousins and we are so happy that we could all be together once more. Jim would comment "that was a great party". He loved family. Jim leaves behind his niece Della, his nephews Mike, Steve, Christopher, Daniel and Dillon. His great nephews, Adrian, Zac, Brandon, Caius, Joshua, and Rain. One week after Jim passed away, a new baby niece was born "Daisy". Jim had some great friends. Jimmy Preston, Mark Blowers, Larry Krikorian, Vince Waller, Barrett, thank you for your calls and support. Jim, I miss you so much..you are in all of my prayers