James Vincent Piet

Mr. James Vincent Piet, 93, of Charleston, SC, died at Bishop Gadsden, on Tuesday December 22, 2020. He was born in Monroe, Michigan on October 17, 1927. Jim was an exceptionally warm, gregarious person who said hello to everyone around him. He passed with family holding his hand. The relatives and friends of James Vincent Piet are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 AM Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Nativity Catholic Church. Private inurnment will follow at the Bishop Gadsden Columbarium. Those desiring to attend the funeral are asked to sign up at Jim Piet Funeral | Church of the Nativity Charleston, SC. A Livestream of the service will be provided at https://youtu.be/Q5ArhbyxRkQ. Social distancing and masks are required. Online Condolences may be offered at www.CharlestonFunerals.com.

There will also be a “celebration of life”, also February 16, 7-9 pm EST, via zoom.  We invite people to drop in as their time permits, share stories, celebrate dad and mom’s lives.  It will be recorded.  It easiest to join if you’ve installed the Zoom app or client 

Zoom meeting ID                    820 8794 7854 

Zoom meeting passcode         314159 

Or use direct link 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82087947854?pwd=eUt5bm5zeUJLVlFuNngrNzlNRkZUQT09 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Salvatore (Sam) and Anna Pietrangelo of Trenton Michigan (who had immigrated from Italy), his wife Diane Wallace Piet, his son Dr. Michael Harold Piet, his granddaughter Monica Margaret Piet, his sister Clare Pietrangelo Koester and her husband Arthur Koester, and brother-in-law Richard Straub.

Mr. Piet is survived by his son Steven James Piet, daughter-in-law Anne Harrill Piet, granddaughter Valerie Marie Piet and her husband Peter Blake Lewis, grandson Alexander Thomas Piet, and great-granddaughter Harper Madalyn Piet Lewis, sister-in-law Bevie Straub, nieces Susie Straub Graham, Karen Straub Spann, Ann Koester Rincon, and nephew William Koester.

After serving in the Army at the end of World War II in Japan, Jim received his Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit. He then started a fulfilling career with DuPont, mostly working in the Textile Fibers Division. He worked in Seaford DE; Kinston NC; Nashville TN; Camden SC. He was plant manager back at Kinston, before being called to corporate headquarters in Wilmington DE, where he retired in 1987.

Jim and Diane were born Yankees but became Southern in their hearts and discovered they had raised two southern boys and that they loved southern warmth (in both senses of the word). They moved to Kiawah Island SC, where they found so much love and hospitality. Jim joined the Kiawah Property Owners Group (KPOG). As throughout his life, Jim served with devotion, passion, and caring while living on the island. He held various positions from 1993 through being KPOG President March 2004-February 2006. He was elected to the Kiawah Island Town Council for December 1996-November 1998, and then Mayor for two terms December 1998-November 2002. He loved serving others.

He was active in the Catholic Church and was a leader in raising the funds for Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Johns Island. Throughout his life, his faith was an important and central part of his life.

His grandchildren affectionally called him Opa, the German word for grandfather despite his Italian heritage as part of a family joke. He showed his love by building toys, and taking them fishing and crabbing. Visits with Opa were always filled with fun.

Jim was primary caregiver for his beloved wife Diane through her war with Alzheimer’s. Jim and Diane moved to Bishop Gadsden in 2007 and attended the Church of the Nativity. Diane passed in November 2008.

The family thanks the people in Kiawah Island and Bishop Gadsden for the love they’ve given Jim and Diane. The staff at Bishop Gadsden were especially helpful to Jim when Diane passed and as his health declined in recent years, months, and days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), the Alzheimer’s Association (www.act.alz.org), the Church of the Nativity Building Fund (1061 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412), or the Bishop Gadsden Resident Assistance Fund (1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412).