James E. Rutkowski of North Hills, PA died peacefully on Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at his daughter’s residence surrounded by his family. He was 71.

He was the beloved husband of Catherine A. Fisher Rutkowski for 53 years.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Edward and Mary Oleksyn Rutkowski.

Mr. Rutkowski was a resident of North Hills since 1965. Before his retirement in 2005, he was employed at POMCO Graphics for many years as an offset printer and had worked for various graphic companies throughout his life. In his leisure time, he enjoyed boating and salt water fishing but his true passion was for race cars. Using his own race car, he participated in drag racing at both Atco and Maple Grove Raceways. He was a family oriented man who always enjoyed the special times he spent with his children and grandchildren. He will be sadly missed as a loving husband, father and grandfather.

In addition to his beloved wife, he is survived by his four children, Michael E. Rutkowski of Perkasie, Donna L. Clarkson and her husband, Frank, of Warrington, James V. Rutkowski and his wife, Victoria, of Franconia Township, and Edward P. Rutkowski and his wife, Gretchen, of Sterling, VA. He is also survived by his four grandchildren: Paul, Lauren, Alexander and Natalie.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing on Friday evening, April 1, 2011, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home, 241 East Butler Avenue (Route 202 at Sandy Ridge Road), New Britain, PA 18901 and to his Funeral Mass on Saturday, April 2, 10:30 AM at Queen of Peace Church, 820 North Hills Ave. Ardsley, PA 19038. Interment will take place at St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Lymphoma Research Foundation, 115 Broadway, Suite 1301, New York, NY 10006.