James Francis Sparolini

James Francis Sparolini
November 14, 1948 ~ June 22, 2008

Carmel – Jim Sparolini, 59, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on June 22, 2008 at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.
   Jim courageously battled cancer for the past three years and his positive outlook and gracious spirit were with him even in his final days when he celebrated Father's Day with his wife and children at a San Francisco Giants game.
   Jim was a lifetime resident of the Peninsula, born in Carmel on November 14, 1948 to Francis and Aili Sparolini. Jim attended local schools and was active in the community as a member of the Monterey Peninsula Jaycees and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, a sponsor of the Big Sur International Marathon and a Founding Board Member of the Bronco World Series. He contributed to numerous nonprofit organizations and was active with both Santa Catalina School and Robert Louis Stevenson. He also served his country with the United States Navy.
   He married Kathryn Grych in 1975 and they enjoyed 33 years of very happy marriage. They have two children, Sonia and Stephen, who were blessed to have Jim as their father.
   Jim was involved with the family business, Sparolini Distributing Company, for 27 years and he was at the forefront of his time by opening Sparolini Recycling Center, the first of its kind in the area.
More recently, he was active in Real Estate.
   Jim had a strong will and competitive drive, while also only speaking the best of each and every person. He was loyal and honest and a very loving husband and father.
   Jim was a sports fan and competitor who sponsored numerous youth and adult teams. He was not only the team's sponsor, but their greatest fan. He was especially fond of watching his children's sporting endeavors and was a permanent fixture at all of their sporting events. They always knew that he would be the most excited and the most proud when they scored the winning run or sank the winning putt. He also loved playing golf and in his spare time enjoyed building golf clubs for family and friends, as well as donating his clubs to local charities. He had a knack for building and repairs, regardless of how big or small the project, and a keen architectural vision that was helpful in his real estate developments. He was a natural in the kitchen, where his gourmet meals will be missed by all who were lucky enough to share them with him.
   Jim is predeceased by his mother, Aili Sparolini and is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; children, Sonia and Stephen; father, Francis Sparolini; sisters, Susan LaVarnway (Charles LaVarnway) and Catherine Sparolini and many other relatives and friends.
   A Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the Carmel Mission. Contributions may be made to the Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center or the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf Association.