ADAMS, Mass. —James Stanley Zieba, our beloved father, grandfather (Dziadziu) and great-grandfather left us and this world unexpectedly on July 11, 2025. Jim was born on October 10, 1939 in Springfield, MA to Stanley Justyn and Helen Germania Zieba.

He is predeceased by his beloved wife Judy Kathleen Zieba, their son Michael Stanley Zieba, his granddaughter Sabrina Lynn Sommer and his great-granddaughter Madelyn Rose Ghitman. He leaves behind his devoted partner Lucia Del Carmen Valencia of Salisbury, NC, his sister Frances Brooks, his beloved children Linda Legassie, Helene Sommer and her husband Michael, James Michael Zieba and his wife Debbie, his grandchildren Ashley Legassie, Samantha Ghitman and her husband Daniel, Laura Bareis and her husband Robert, Michael Sommer Jr. and his wife Stephanie, Michael Alan Zieba, Breana Yarnal and her husband Henry, step-grandchild Matthew Scott and his husband Nick Duell. He also leaves his beloved great-grandchildren Nathaniel and Annabelle Ghitman, Braelyn and Lincoln Yarnal and Timothy James Sommer.

Jim graduated from Adams Memorial High School in 1957. He also graduated with a BA in Political Science and History at Columbus State University, later earning his Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Massachusetts. Jim proudly served his country (including two tours of Vietnam) with the Army Special Operation Forces: Green Beret, Ranger Battalion and the 82nd Airbourne from 1957 to 1978 retiring as Major [Zieba], US Army (Retired). After retiring from the military, he was a self-employed government contractor from 1989-1996. He then founded A-Z Enterprises (AZENT) and also was a Selection Instructor for the Special Forces facility located at Camp Mackall and Robin Sage, Fort Bragg, NC.

He played such a special part in our lives and leaves behind a tremendous heartache. We will always carry the lessons of respect, dedication and endurance that he passed along to us all. RIP Dad, Dziadz, the Legend!

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 28th at 10:00 am in St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams MA. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Kostka Cemetery. Calling Hours will be in the PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St, Adams MA on Sunday, July 27th from 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Memorial donations can be made to the Green Beret Foundation at greenberetfoundation.org

To leave a message of condolence, or for directions, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com