James M. Pascuiti

James M. Pascuiti passed away on Friday, April 26, at New York Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center in New York City. At his side in Jim's final moments were his beloved wife of 43 years, Jean; daughters, Heather and Heidi, and sons-in-law, Peter and Nick. Jim was 66 years of age. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 2, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes R.C. Church, 300 Central Ave., Mountainside, N.J. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield. Born on Oct. 30, 1946, in Montclair, N.J., Jim was a graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J. Jim also conducted advanced course work at Cornell University in the industrial and labor relations program. In 1983, Jim founded Employment and Rehabilitation Consulting Services in Springfield, N.J., where he worked as a forensics examiner and employability expert. Prior to establishing his firm, Jim worked as a rehabilitation counselor and eventually as a vice president at Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, N.J., where he was employed for 18 years. On Sept. 10, 1963, during a high school football scrimmage, Jim sustained a spinal cord injury that resulted in quadriplegia. In 1964, at a benefit to celebrate his perseverance, Jim was described as having, "a wonderful spirit, tremendous faith, and tenacious courage." What was true in 1964 was true every day of his life. The grandeur of Jim's spirit was evidenced not only in his personal life, but also in his work to better his community and in his unrelenting advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities. Jim was frequently honored for his work as a rehabilitation counselor, a community leader, and an advocate on the state and national level. In Mountainside, Jim served for more than 10 years on the board of education, including terms as vice president and president. He was also a member of the Parish Council of Our Lady of Lourdes. Jim was active with the State Health Coordinating Council, the National Head Injury Association Provider Council, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Rehabilitation Hospitals Committee of the New Jersey Hospital Association. He was also involved in a successful federal lawsuit against the New York Yankees and the City of New York that resulted in improved access to Yankee Stadium for disabled fans. Jim received numerous accolades for his work including recognition in the New Jersey Hall of Courage, induction into the Immaculate Conception High School Hall of Fame, the Ann Klein Award, and the Kessler Institute Annual Alumni Award. As extraordinary as Jim's personal and professional accomplishments were, nothing brought him greater joy than spending time with family and friends in New Jersey and Florida. He was happiest when surrounded by his seven grandchildren, Jack, Ryan, Lyla and Ella Grondin and Seraphina, Lucca and Emiliana Galeone. Jim is survived by them, as well as his devoted wife, Jean; his daughters, Heather and Heidi; his sons-in-law, Peter and Nick; his sister, Evelyn Calabrese; his brother, Joseph, and his wife, Grace Pascuiti; his mother, Angelina Pascuiti, and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. Donations in Jim's memory can made to New York Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center or a charity of one's choice.