On October 7, 1943 in Youngstown, the Lord blessed Peter & 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 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 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 of Columbiana, Donnajean (Dennis) Ruble of Sidney, OH, Esther Lee Pederson and Rody Reed of Cincinnati, Elizabeth Ann (Ted) Warmoth of Girard, JoAnn (Dave) Lataster of Xenia, OH and a brother, Peter (Cindy) Poulakos of New Middletown. 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 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 his 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 her husband Dennis 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 Saturday 2:00 PM at the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home, Hubbard.

Family and friends may call on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the funeral home.

Burial will be at Belmont Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to S and H Products Senior Programs, 435 South Stolle Dr., Sidney, Ohio 45365.

Please visit www.kelley-robb.com to view this obituary and send condolences to the family.

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