James Meade Deloreto

James Meade DeLoreto passed away on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017, at the age of 100. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut, on September 10, 1916, son of Emil DeLoreto and Elizabeth Meade DeLoreto. He was brought up in Hartford. He graduated from Yale College in 1939 and enrolled that year at Harvard Law School.His education was interrupted by his military service during World War II. He was a Lieutenant in the U. S. Army Field Artillery Reserve from 1939-1942, Lieutenant and Captain in the U. S. Army Air Corps Reserve from 1942-1945, a Rated Glider Pilot, and during his Active Duty he was stationed in England, France and Brazil. He retired from the U. S. Air Force Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.

He was admitted to the Bar in Connecticut in 1946 and in California in 1948. He was a practicing attorney until 2014. He along with his parents, brother Emil (Theresa) and sister Lillis moved to Santa Barbara in 1947 where his father bought two lemon ranches which they later developed into Loreto Plaza.

He married Frances J. Neilson on February 3, 1951 and they had four sons of which William predeceased him. He is survived by James Jr. (Sally), Edward and John and five grandchildren, Christopher, Megan, Gregory, Caroline and Robert James and four great grandchildren.

He was President of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association in 1957, was a Santa Barbara City Councilman from 1957-1959 and has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens and Santa Barbara Mental Health Association. He also was the Italian Vice Consul from the end of 1968 to September 1986 and was pleased to belong to the local Italian American Clubs and to attend their events.

His beloved wife Frances (Sissy) died on May 23, 1999.

There will be a Graveside Service at Calvary Cemetery at 12 p.m., Noon, Saturday, June 3, 2017. A reception will follow at Harry's Plaza Café after 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to the charity of your choice.