JAMES MAINO

James Louis Maino passed away February 10th in Salt Lake City, Utah, following a 14-month battle with cancer, surrounded by family. He was 86.

Jim was born on November 19, 1939, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to James and Josephine (Pezzotti) Maino. He graduated from St. Paul's High School in Negaunee, Michigan, where he excelled at both basketball and baseball.

Jim joined the United States Army in 1957, attaining the rank of Army Specialist 5. He often recalled his time at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, especially his presence at the first successful kill of a ballistic missile, conducted at WSMR in 1960. Once discharged, Jim earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Northern Michigan University.

As a young adult, Jim ran a successful gas station, Maino's Sinclair, in Negaunee. After this, he managed Montgomery Ward catalog stores in Iron River, Michigan, and Virginia, Minnesota. He then worked for Central Lakes College in Brainerd, Minnesota as a small business consultant, before taking a position as controller for Northwest Tool Corporation in Tucson, Arizona, the company he worked for until he retired in the early 2000s.

Jim was even busier in retirement than he was prior. A member of the Knights of Columbus since 1989, he assumed many leadership roles both in his home Council at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Tucson and the state. Jim and his wife Jackie enjoyed many wonderful weekends and afternoons exploring as they traveled to KC functions throughout Arizona and beyond. In addition, Jim gave over 5000 hours of his time volunteering for the Tucson Veterans Administration hospital. Known as the Popcorn Guy, he made friends with patients and hospital staff alike and filled every popcorn bag to the brim, whether or not the recipient was able to give a donation. Jim was a dedicated runner, completing several marathons, and an avid reader. He was a passionate University of Arizona Wildcat fan and held season tickets for both football and basketball for many years.

In 1969, Jim married Jacqueline Langlois, also a Negaunee native. The couple had two daughters, Mary and Carol, born in 1970 and 1972. After living in Michigan and Minnesota, the family moved to Tucson, Arizona, in 1981, where Jim lived until he moved to Salt Lake City in the fall of 2024. Jim and Jackie were married for 51 wonderful years before Jackie passed away in November 2020. Mary and Carol's favorite memory of their parents is the coffee Jim and Jackie shared each morning on their beautiful Tucson patio, accompanied by their beloved pets.

Jim is also preceded in death by his parents, James and Josephine (Pezzotti) Maino, brother Paul (Karen) Maino, and sister Clairice (Martin) Ghiardi. He is survived by his daughters, Mary (John) Lambert of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Carol (Robert) Couillard of Waupaca, Wisconsin. His grandchildren, Alpha and Mary Jane Lambert and James and Matthew Couillard miss their Grampa Jim terribly. They were the light of his life, and he theirs. Jim is further survived by brothers Joseph (Jean) Maino, John (Julie) Maino, Beverly (Jack, deceased) Denofre, and Rosemarie (Terry) Sayen, as well as Jackie's sisters Helen (Ralph) Donato and Maxine (Robert) Gerndt, along with numerous and much-loved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at St. Paul Catholic Church with Rev. Larry VanDamme officiating. Interment will take place in the Negaunee Cemetery with his beloved wife Jackie. A luncheon will follow in the St. Paul gymnasium.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Knights of Columbus Assembly 2308 "Serving Those Who Served."

Checks may be sent to:

AZ Knights of Columbus

12090 N Thornydale Rd #110-498

Marana, AZ

85658

Please add "Serving Those Who Served" in the memo line.

Jim's memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com