James Paratore

1921 - 2017

James (Vincenzo) Paratore

James (Vincenzo) Paratore, 96, of Marion Ohio, passed away Saturday September 23, 2017 at his home in Marion, Ohio, surrounded by family. He was born March 1, 1921 in Sinagra, Sicily to Leone and Josephine Terranova Paratore.

After the death of his mother in 1927, James immigrated to the Unites States with his father and siblings. He arrived in New York City on Thanksgiving Day, 1929 at the age of eight. He lived in East Chicago, Indiana with his father, his stepmother Concetta, his brothers and sister, and stepsiblings. Jim was a graduate of Roosevelt High School in East Chicago, Indiana where he excelled in scholastics and sports, and was inducted in the Indiana High School Wrestlers Hall of Fame. He was Wrestling State Champ in Indiana in 1939 in the 165 lb. weight class.

Jim served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps, and later in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He earned a bachelors degree in electrical engineering at Purdue University and was a valued member of their varsity wrestling team. After graduating, he worked at the Ohio Edison Company in Springfield, Ohio, where he met Evelyn Hall. He and Evelyn married in 1950, and moved to the Akron area where they raised seven children together. Jim retired from the Ohio Edison Company after a 45-year career there. He married Helen Plotner Robbins in Marion, Ohio in 1983. They were married 33 years when she passed away in 2016.

Jim was an avid golfer with five-lifetime hole in ones. He enjoyed golfing in Akron, Ohio and at their winter home in Naples Florida, and in Marion, Ohio and golfed and worked out at the Marion YMCA until he was in his 90s. He enjoyed cooking and eating his native Italian food.

Surviving him are his children, Deborah Paratore, California, Andrea (Andrew) Borowiec, Akron, Ohio, David (Catherine) Paratore, Austin, Texas, Ronald Paratore, Akron, Ohio, and Patricia Paratore, Herndon, Virginia. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and by his brother, Joseph (Midge) Paratore, Haymarket, Va., and sister-in-law, Rose Paratore, Schererville, Indiana.

Left to miss him are his other children and their families: Bill (Claire) Robbins, Gahanna, Ohio, Judi Olsen, Noblesville, Ind., Bob (Dorothy) Robbins, Westerville, Ohio, Kathy (Steve) Brammer, Marion, Phil (Carolyn) Robbins, Marion, Patti Culp (Lonnie Cox), Marion, Maureen (Jeff) Diehl, Marion, Janet (John) Taylor, Marion, Donna (Dave) Freese, Monroe Mich., Debbie (Stan) Kennard, Ann Arbor, Mich.; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his sons, Vincent Steven and Martin Brian Paratore; brother, Sebastian Paratore, and sister Jennie Pullo.

Jim was a devout member of St. Mary's Church in Marion, Ohio. Funeral Mass will be held in Marion at St. Mary's Church, Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 10:30 a.m., calling hours will be held at the church one hour prior to the funeral.

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary's School, or Ohio Health Hospice in Jim Paratore's name.