Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1946
DIED
2020
James Guercia Obituary
James A. Guercia, 74 of Clinton/Killingworth died peacefully on June 22, 2020, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. He was born February 1, 1946, in New Haven, son of Arthur W. Guercia and Mary Ann St. Arnault-Guercia who lived on Quinnipiac Ave. Jimmy graduated from Wilbur Cross High School in 1964 where he was a student-athlete and leader in his class. Some of his high school achievements include all-state honors, football and baseball, and the Gridiron Award. Jimmy's accolades continued into his college career at Southern Connecticut State University where he helped lead The Owls to the NCAA Atlantic Coast Championship at Yankee Stadium and orchestrating one of the most iconic plays in Southern Connecticut State University's football history. After graduating college, he began a 45-year dedicated career at Notre Dame High School of West Haven as a physical education teacher, football, baseball, and track and field coach. His passion for teaching and coaching left an everlasting impression on decades of students, athletes, and peers. He has been inducted into The Hall of Fame for Wilbur Cross High School, Southern Connecticut State University, and Notre Dame High School. Many other organizations have honored him for his dedication and accomplishments during his lifetime. Jimmy was never someone to share the accolades he achieved. He was a humble, kind, generous, and compassionate man who lived to see others succeed. The friendships he held close remained for decades and were truly cherished. His love and dedication to his family was a quality he wore with pride. He was devoted and happily married to his love and best friend, Barbara Fox (Torre) Guercia. Jimmy's most proud accomplishments were in raising his children, both biological and extended. In his heart there was no difference. Throughout the years he took them fishing and camping, taught them his secrets of cooking and gardening, played the guitar, listened to music, and attended countless extra-curricular activities. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye as he carried on some of those very same traditions with them. Survived by, in addition to his wife, brother Thomas Guercia and wife Betty, sister Sondra Beavis, daughter Alison Guercia-Smith and significant other Scott Wilkinson, daughter Heather Klein-Albert and husband Peter, son Jason Guercia and significant other Cindy Pinaud-Argersinger, son Derek Torre and wife Jessica Destefano-Torre, son Sean Torre, son Jarret Guercia and wife Sarah Hovick-Guercia, and grandchildren, Cooper and Abigail Smith, Samantha and Collin Albert, Shelby Argersinger, Ben and PJ Torre, and Ryder and Zepplin Guercia. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by the parents of his wife, Harry E. Fox and Helen W. Sheldon-Fox. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date TBA. For updated information, please see the tribute facebook page "Yesterday with Jim Guercia- Beloved, Father, Coach and Friend, "Jimmy". In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jim Guercia's name to Notre Dame High School Athletic Program c/o Jason Shea, Athletic Director, 1 Notre Dame Way, West Haven, CT 06516.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Guercia
Sponsored by NHRegister.com.
Michael (Skip) Malaro
August 23, 2020
I am a 1965 graduate of Notre Dame High School. I got to know Jim when we coached a major league Little League team back in the early 90's. Jim was a good man; he was also an outstanding baseball coach. I was the head coach, but I knew from the very first day we established the team, Jim was in charge. I have not seen Jim much over the past 24 years, but when we did make contact, he always had a big smile and big hello! The world will miss this good man; I know Jim will be with The Lord for eternity.
Joe Grace
July 18, 2020
Jimmy and I played football together and I played baseball for 2 years at SCSU. He was a great athlete for us and an even better person. He always had kind words for everyone and i am sure he is coaching with kindness in heaven today. Godbless you Jimmy. Joe Grace
Doug Cassella
July 13, 2020
Coach "Jimmy" Guercia was both an outstanding athlete and Coach. Most importantly he was a good man!
His commitment, dedication and sincere concern for the hundreds of athletes and students he coached and taught over nearly five decades at Notre Dame High School is simply -inspirational!
I feel both fortunate and privileged to have played for him during his first year as ND's head football coach - that experience left me with an indelible, positive outlook on life!
Thanks Coach!!! God Bless. R.I.P.
Doug Cassella
ND 78
Milton J Northrop
July 4, 2020
I remembered Jim as great athlete at Wilbur Cross when I covered state championship team for the NH Register. Class athlete who turned out to be a class man.
David Serfilippi
July 2, 2020
To the entire Guercia family,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Guercia family. Jim and I played together in the West Haven Twilight League in the early 1960's. After the summer of 1964, Jim and I entered Southern Connecticut State College. We were in three classes together and studied together.
When we studied at Jim's house, we would take a break and Jim would bring out his guitar. Since both Jim and I could not sing, the perfect song was "The House of the Rising Sun", by the The Animals.
Jim and I were always in the right place at the right time. In our speech class, which was are last class of the week, we were up for a special treat. With about ten minutes left, and everyone giving a speech to introduce themselves, Jim and I counted the minutes. A woman, who was in her middle thirties, who had not spoken yet, left the class. When she returned to give her speech, she was dressed in her Playboy Bunny costume. Jim and I looked at each other and agreed we could get by the next four minutes of class. To our surprise she as mother bunny at the Playboy Club in New York City and in charge of the girls at the club.
Jim and I shared a lot of great memories. I am sure all the people in his life, family, students,associates and friends have great memories of him too.
Scott Esposito
July 1, 2020
Thanks for your compassion.
David Pesapane
July 1, 2020
To the family of Jim,
To the family of Jim,
Jim and I were unknown adversaries in 1962 when I played for ND and he played for Cross. We then crossed paths many years later, he as a coach at ND and me at St. Bernard. He was an excellent coach, a class act, and a credit to our profession. I enjoyed our match-ups because they were competitive and respectful. After we both retired from coaching we frequently bumped into each other at the Clinton Stop and Shop while doing our family food shopping. While brief they were always welcome.
May his soul rest n peace, may the Perpetual Light shine upon him.
God bless you in your time of need.
Michael Montefusco ND 08
June 30, 2020
Coach Guerc, you will be missed. I really enjoyed our time together. Such a good man.
John Noonan. ND 76
June 30, 2020
Coach Guercia was an outstanding influence for me and others at ND. I was very fortunate to have him coach me in football and track. Alway upbeat and willing to talk and share. Fond memories from 40 plus years ago. Thanks Coach!!
Frank Maturo
June 30, 2020
Very sad to hear about Coach Guercia. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. He was a terrific person, and was liked by everyone. Even though he never coached the sport I played, I still looked up to him everyday that I saw him in the hallways, and never wanted to disappoint. I was glad I got to see him one last time in October when he was inducted into the ND Hall of Fame. I went up to him and said Coach it's Frank, and he said I remember you, and with watery eyes I gave him a big hug, and he had that smile he always had and I will always remember. RIP Coach! You touched many lives.
Jamie Wiggins
June 29, 2020
Coach Guercia,
I had gotten to see you after graduation at events in Boston, MA and around the school when I came back to visit.
Notre Dame teaches you to have an open heart and help others, with a joke, some insight, or a story. You were the epitome of the Notre Dame man.
My condolences to the Guercia and Notre Dame family and Alumni
Jamie Wiggins Class of '96
John Gibbons
June 29, 2020
Jim was one of the best people I met in my almost two decades of teaching and coaching with him at Notre Dame. He was one of those people that nobody has a bad thing to say and everyone has great stories and memories. R.I.P., coach.
Joseph A. Spadaro
June 29, 2020
Mr. Guercia was my gym teacher back in high school. Notre Dame, Class of 83. A good teacher and a good man. Needless to say, a good football coach, also. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.
Sincerely,
Joseph A. Spadaro,
Notre Dame High School -- Class of 83
Kurt Iannuzzi
June 29, 2020
My deepest condolences to the Guercia Family and Friends. I was fortunate to have Coach Guercia in my life for all four of my years at Notre Dame, as a Coach, Teacher, Counselor and Friend. At that time he was just starting his career but you could sense even in the beginning that he was going to impact so many lives in a positive way for a very long time. I consider myself very blessed to have been one of those lives. I thank God for having known Coach Guercia, and thank him for helping me become the man that I am today. My condolences also for all of the ND family, students, alumni and faculty, especially to Coach Marcucci, for we all have lost a big part of our lives. Kurt Iannuzzi Class of '73.
Brian Haesche
June 29, 2020
Sincere condolences to the Guercia family & friends. Coach was a great man who surely touched the lives and was a well loved mentor of many. God Bless and may he rest in peace!
TJ Casey, Sr. President NDWH Class of 1969
June 29, 2020
Jim was a Good Guy. R.I.P. Coach.
James Compas
June 29, 2020
I wanted to express my condolences to Jim's family. He was my track coach at ND in early 70s. I'll never forget the support he gave me and our team. Jim Compas Class of '72.
Rich and Louise Spotlow
June 29, 2020
Jimmy & Bobbi were over for a cookout a few weeks ago. Jimmy didn't eat but we did have several beers. He got a call and was talking to his grandkids and had a big smile on his face. Had a feeling it wouldn't be long till he passed. I wanted to hug goodby but we just fist bumped because of this dam virus. So greatful for the 30+ years we knew Jimmy. We had so much fun with our 2 families growing up together. I loved him like a brother.
All our Love
Carmen Cafasso
June 29, 2020
Was in the ND class of '72, Mr. G was a great guy & friend to any student. He will be missed.
Carmen Cafasso
Janet Roger's Ciskowski
June 28, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
fred depino
June 28, 2020
I went to high school with Jimmy, everything you read about him is the absolute truth, he was a great guy, and this kind of guy only comes around once in a lifetime.
John Hughes
June 28, 2020
Sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I was a boyhood friend of Jim and lived in the same neighborhood. I remember playing sports together (Jim always excelled and was the #1 pick when choosing sides), playing our guitars and driving our sports cars; Jim had an Austin Healy and I had a Triump TR3. Although I have not seen Jim in years and I no longer live on CT, you can never erase your childhood memories. My condolences to Jim's entire family. John Hughes
Anthony Simonetti, NDWH Class of 72
June 28, 2020
Mr. Guercia was a terrific role model and teacher. I was very blessed to have him in my life as a student at NDWH. His grit and dedication inspired me to be a better player than I would have been anywhere else.
But more importantly he made me a better person who wanted to inspire others to reach higher than they ever thought possible. Mr. Guercia was always there for us, he could critique you and give the guidance to make you play better in seconds when it really counted. He respect us all and made us better men.
I know he had strength and fortitude. He would throw the ball to us for tip drills 300 - 400 times each day 5-6 days a week. He never tired of pushing us to work harder and smarter than our opponents.
It was a privelidge to know him, be coached by him and rewarding to
have him as a mentor.
God Bless him and his family, your loss is felt in many places. God graced us with his presence for 74 years but his inspiring life will shine in many hearts for decades to come.
Jason Guercia
June 28, 2020
My Father was an amazing man he was always there for us he was at every game every event he would sit down with you and explain why he did the things he did or said the things he said in a way you could always understand he always had a smile and a kind word and an open ear for anyone who needed it!! He was an amazing athlete but and even better man and father he is the best and I will forever instill what Ive learned from him to friends and loved ones and will carry his name with pride till my dieing day and hopefully make him proud of my actions and the life I lived Till we meet again!! I love you Dad may you forever RIP!! Your son -Jason James Guercia.❤❤❤❤
Nick Gistaro
June 27, 2020
Coach Jim was very special to me as a member of the football team and track team at Notre Dame
I was in the class of 1972 and he was just starting his coaching career at Notre Dame then
Coach Jim and Coach T meant a lot to me in my development as a young man
Both had great integrity and knowledge and they were and important part of my life
Jim was the embodiment of what Notre Dame stands for Achievement and hard work
I am privileged to have known him and Id like to think that a small part of him carries on through me
Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results
Make a Donation
in James Guercia's name
Memorial Events
for James Guercia
How to support James's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor James Guercia's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
