James A Mazza Sr

Springfield- James "Jim" A. Mazza Sr. ,91, of this city ,died peacefully, at his home on Tuesday, Sept. 7,2004, with his loving children at his bedside. Jim was born in Corinth, West Virginia, the son of the late Larry and Daisy (Saunders) Mazza. He was educated in West Virginia, and spent the last 70 years of his life in the Springfield, Chicopee area. Retiring in 1994 as head shipper for the John R. Lyman Co. ,Chicopee, Jim was employed there for 53 years. Amazingly strong and healthy for his age, Jim retired at the great age of 81. Jim was a communicant of Holy Name Church & St. Patrick's Church of Chicopee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Chicopee Council; the Elks Club, and the "Over 60 Club" of Chicopee. After his retirement, Jim spent a good deal of time volunteering at the Knights of Columbus BINGO, and spaghetti suppers. Even though he spent a great part of his life working, Jim always had time for his family. Though by nature a very quiet man, his joy and laughter were easily elicited by his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor, and could be depended upon for a good joke. Jim was predeceased by his first wife Stella (Szczur) Mazza in 1945, and by his second wife A. Claire (Goulet) Mazza in 1994. Jim is survived by a son James A. Mazza Jr. and his wife Cleo of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 4 daughters Joan Chevalier and her husband Ron of Southwick, Eileen Mendrek and her husband Jim of Cumberland, R.I., Shirley Trusiewicz and her husband Al of Chicopee and Susan Abbott and her husband Mike also of Chicopee. Jim also leaves 17 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 3 sisters Rose Wheeler , Nellie Dugas, and Josephine DiSantis, as well as numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Jim was also predeceased by 3 brothers and 3 sisters. "Mr. Jim" will be sadly missed by his caregivers Genevieve and Elizabeth as well. Funeral services for Jim will be held on Saturday, Sept. 11,2004 beginning at 9:00 AM from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, Chicopee, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial, celebrated at 10:00 A.M. in Holy Name Church, 33 South Street, Chicopee. His burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee. His family will receive friends at the funeral home for calling hours on Friday from 3 to 7 PM. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice Life Care, 28 Appleton St.,Holyoke, Mass. 01040 .