James Francis Oliver

James Francis Xavier Oliver, Sr. of Port Charlotte, FL, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2023, he was 85 years old. James was married to his beloved wife Barbara Ann (Romer) Oliver for 55 years until her passing in August of 2012. They were childhood sweethearts who loved to tell the story of their first date on Valentine’s Day 1951 when they were 14 years old. James was from Astoria Queens where he was long known as JO. He spent his retirement years in Port Charlotte, a place he adored. He worked as a Business Agent for the New York City Department of Sanitation and retired in 1996. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his beloved son James, and his sisters Grace Beach, Joan Rafferty, and Joyce Oliver. James was a man with a big personality, and a heart of gold who loved with all his might. He loved to laugh, he sang aloud beautifully and often to the delight of his family. He is survived by his children, Kim, Letitia, Keith, and Scott, and his 13 grandchildren, Ashley, Richard, Ryan, Brittany, Nicole, Dorian, Michaela, Shannon, Katie, Maggie, Antonina, Emily, and Elizabeth, 16 great grandchildren and his sister Arlene Sollin. There wasn’t a day that went by where he wasn’t in awe of the blessings of his family and friends. A Funeral Mass will take place at San Antonio Catholic Church on Friday the 5th of May 2023 at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Restlawn Cemetery in Port Charlotte, followed by a celebration of his life at a place TBD. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Lung Association.