James Angelici

James R. Angelici

1934 - 2018

James R. Angelici, 84, passed into eternal life on Aug. 8, 2018, at his home in the Village of Pleasant Prairie, Wis. Jim was born in Kenosha, on March 17, 1934, to Adam and Ada (Rossini) Angelici.

Jim attended Frank Elementary, McKinley Jr High, and was a graduate of Mary D. Bradford High School. He served two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was honorably discharged Nov. 15, 1956.

On Dec. 29, 1962, he married Ruth Tennessen at St George Catholic Church.

Jim was a faithful member of Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he served as a lector and member of many committees. His active and leadership roles included president of the parish council, president of the Holy Rosary school board, and president of the Holy Rosary Holy Name Society. He served as chairman of the Holy Rosary Holy Name Annual Sports Night fundraising event.

Jim had a life-long love of learning and growing as an entrepreneur. His professional life had great depth and breadth. He began his career with Simmons Co. and Nash Motors in the aircraft lab and as an inspector in Dept. 814; as a partner in Pier-Angeli Farms Wholesale Butter and Eggs; proprietor of Angelicis Bar and Liquor store; and as an insurance agent for Prudential, The Hardware Mutual, and Sentry Insurance Companies. His career path took him to be Manager of the insurance department at IJ Bear, president and owner of Angelici Insurance Agency; Vice-President of the Laub Group; insurance risk manager for State Construction and Ruffalo Painting; founder, president, and CEO of Plan Express in Memphis, and an associate of Pollard Studios. His professional accomplishments were innumerable, including: President of the Racine Kenosha Life Underwriters, President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kenosha, President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin, IIAW Wisconsin State Convention Chair, IIAW Agent of the Year award recipient, IIAW Committee Chairman of the Year Award recipient, and Lifetime Honorary Member of IIAW.

Jim dedicated himself to servicing his community. He was an active member and Past-President of the Kiwanis Club of Western Kenosha for which he was proud to serve in many leadership roles, including Cohorama chairman, Tremper Prom afterglow chairman, and Man of the Year recipient twice. He was Past Exalted Ruler of BPO Elks 750, served as Chairman of the Board of trustees at Gateway Technical College and member of the Gateway Technical College Foundation Board. Jim served on the CYC board, the Girl Scout board, and several Kenosha County Boy Scout committees. He served as President of the Serra Club of Kenosha and was a founder and board member for the Big Brothers of Kenosha. As a volunteer at St. Catherine's Hospital, he served as a Eucharistic Minister, worked in the gift shop and held the role of President of the St. Catherine's Hospital Auxiliary. At any given time, you might find Jim in his volunteer roles at Aurora Hospital and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, the Kemper Center, Anderson Art Center, or the Durkee Mansion as he greeted visitors or worked on a project. Jim was very committed to giving back to his fellow servicemen/women. He volunteered as the Secretary/Treasurer of The Blinded Veterans Association of Wisconsin, served on the Hadley Institute Advisory Panel, and recently a volunteer at The Milwaukee Veterans Hospital.

As a first-born American, he was proud of his family's Italian heritage. He devoted himself to Roma Lodge (Racine Italian Welfare Association) and its board. He cherished his many travels to Italy, visiting his family, and other foreign countries, especially when he would lead a group as their guide.

His hobby as a photographer for the army, the IIAW magazine and Pollard Studios gave him great joy and access to some of the most interesting people and places (including Saint Pope John Paul II).

Jim is survived by his wife, Ruth; three sons, James (Elaine) of St Louis, Mo., John of Kenosha, Wis., and David (Sharon) of New Munster, Wis.; five daughters, Gina (John) Noll of Des Moines, Iowa, Maria of Sister Bay, Wis., Margaret (George) Beck of Houston, Texas, Carla Angelici of Milwaukee, Wis., and Karen (Jaya) Pillai of Mount Pleasant, Wis.; and nine grandchildren, Nicholas and David Angelici, Anthony and Kyle Beck, Angelina and Elizabeth Noll, Maya and Evan Pillai, and Daniel Angelici; a sister, Theresa (Boyd) Klofenstine of Bradenton, FL; a niece, Brenda (Craig) Rebro; and a nephew, Gregg (Kayla) Klofenstine.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; step-father, Frank Clementi; a sister, Barbara Ziesemer; and two step-sisters, Gloria Clementi and Rosemary Caputo.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, at Proko Funeral Home, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 11, at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 2224 45th Street, at 10 a.m. Interment will be held privately at a later date with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Gateway Culinary School, Holy Rosary Church, or a donation of ones choosing in his name, would be appreciated by the family.



Proko Funeral Home & Crematory

5111-60th Street Phone: (262) 654-3533

Visit & Sign James' Online Memorial Book at:

www.prokofuneralhome.com