James "Jim" Michael Peretto

James “Jim” Michael Peretto, 66, of Rocky Hill, loving husband of Rita DeMilia Peretto for 44 years, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2022 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, in which he fought for every last minute for his cherished family. Born on May 31, 1955 in Hartford, Jim was the son of Josephine Yoker Peretto and the late James Joseph Peretto from Newington. After graduating from the University of Hartford in 1977, he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life. Jim worked at Pratt & Whitney for over 40 years, retiring in 2015 as a Structures Lead specializing in Field Investigations. He was dedicated to his work, “making the world a safer place for powered flight” and built lifelong friendships that became family. Jim was a sports and games enthusiast, with a passion for golf and spending time fishing at their home in Highland Beach, FL. He enjoyed cooking, music, and fine wine, as long as it was shared with family and friends, and especially his wife, children and adored grandchildren. Jim was always offering help, with no project too big or small. Whether he was building decks, yard work, or fixing his grandchildren’s toys, he would do it with care, pride, precision, and a smile.

In addition to his wife Rita, he is survived and will be forever missed by his daughter, Nicole Peretto Hartford and husband John Hartford; his son, Michael Peretto and wife Marisa Walsh Peretto; his five grandchildren, Quintin, Finn, Miles, Nola and Harper; his mother, Josephine Peretto; father-in-law, Vincent DeMilia; sister, Barbara and husband Edward O’Keefe; brother-in-law, William and wife Marie DeMilia and many special and loved nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Jim was predeceased by his father, James Peretto; mother-in-law, Barbara DeMilia and nephew, Bryan O’Keefe. The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the staff of Hartford Hospital oncology and all of Jim’s providers and nurses for the great care he received. Jim truly made the world a better place with his smile, endless generosity, and joy for life. He will be deeply missed by all of those he has left behind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Josephine Bakhita Parish at St. James Church, 767 Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will be private. The family invites relatives and friends to celebrate Jim’s life on Thursday, May 19 from 4-6 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 or online at www.pancan.org. To share a memory of Jim with his family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.