James F. Porcello

1920 - 2014

James F. Porcello, 93, of Enfield, formerly of Clermont, FL, passed away on Saturday, Jan.4, 2014, at the Suffield House, Suffield, CT. He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Clara Van Buskirk of Fort Fairfield, ME. Jim was born in Enfield, Nov. 28, 1920, a son of the late John and Lillian (Alaimo) Porcello. He was raised in Enfield, attended local schools, and was a graduate of Enfield High School, Class of 1939. While in high school, Jim excelled in sports, such as football, basketball and baseball. He later continued his love for football by playing semi-pro. After high school, Jim attended Hartford Trade School, majoring in mechanics, and upon graduation he became an employee in the family business at Porcello's Standard Service Garage. In 1942, Jim joined the Army Air Corp and attended Air Plane Mechanic School in Lincoln, Nebraska. As a highly skilled mechanic, Jim was sent to U.S. bases in places such as Greenland and Presque Isle, ME. It was in Presque Isle that Jim met his wife, Clara, and they were married in 1945. Before his discharge from the service, Jim achieved the rank of Staff Sgt.. He returned to Enfield with his wife, Clara, and joined his father and brothers, Tony and Charles in partnership in the family business. The Porcello family business became a very successful and important part of the business community. As a veteran of World War II, he was a very active member of the Rinaldi Fede Post #17 Italian American Veterans and served as Post Commander. He and Clara developed close bonds of friendship with other members and their wives. The women were members of the Post Auxiliary. Jim was also a member of the Mount Carmel Society of Enfield, a Life Member of the AmVets, and served for several years on the Enfield Veterans Council. In 1985, Jim and Clara moved to Clermont, Fl where he could enjoy his passion for golf all year long. After Clara passed away in 2007, Jim decided to return to the Enfield community to be with family and friends. Jim is survived by his two brothers and a sister-in-law, Charles Porcello and Matt and his wife, Nancy, Porcello, all of Enfield; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Rose Porcello of Enfield and Ida Andreone and her husband, Carl, of Lawrenceville, GA.; and many special nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his brothers, Tony and Leo Porcello and his sisters, Angelina Brooks Silansky and Lena Scalia Licardo. Relatives and friends may gather at the Leete-Stevens Enfield Chapels, 61 South Rd. on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. for a procession to St. Adalbert Church, Alden Ave., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Thompsonville Cemetery. Jim's family will receive relatives and friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, from 4 - 7 p.m.. Donations in his memory may be made to St. Patrick's Church Renovation Fund, 64 Pearl St., Enfield, CT 06082 or the Enfield Community Ambulance Fund, PO Box 1152, Enfield, CT 06083-1152. For online ondolences or directions please visit www.leetestevens.com