James E. Morelli

Southington- James E. Morelli Sr., 79, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday April 22, 2012 after a courageous battle with heart failure. He was the husband of the late Phyllis M. (Byers) Morelli. Born August 5, 1932 he was a lifelong Southington resident and parishioner of St Thomas Church from where across the street he was born and raised. James was a proud retiree of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford where he was a Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer. James Morelli was a veteran of the Korean Conflict where he served in the 45th Transportation Army Aircraft Maintenance Company.

He is Survived by his children, James E. Morelli Jr. and wife Cecelia, Stephen C. Morelli and wife Melanie and Beth Landino and husband Phil all of Southington; 8 grandchildren, James III (JT) ,Charlie and Jessica Morelli, Hailey and Stephen Morelli, and Erika, Emily, and Heather Landino. He was predeceased by a son and his sidekick of 47 years Jeffrey Allen Morelli and a beloved brother and sister Robert Morelli and Mary Ann Grimaldi.

Jim was a sports standout throughout his hometown Lewis High career. He was a member of the famous Lewis High 1949 Championship football team, he lettered in track and was a member of the Junior GEMS football squad. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and a lover of the outdoors. He passed this passion on to his extended family and many of our friends. His passion was infectious in everything that he did.

Throughout his life Jim was very active in the community. One of his main life missions was to better improve the lives and educations of handicapped children both on the town and state levels. He was a past Executive Director of SARC (multiple terms) and a board member for numerous years. Whether it was painting a building, rehabilitating playgrounds, fund raising-paper drives, trips to see Santa, Special Olympics, and more Jim was always there! He served on local boards, was a member of the Republican Town Committee, ran for Town Counsel, was a past President of the Southington UNICO, was a 50 plus year member of the American Legion, Elks Club, and the Southington Sons of Italy Club; a club that was founded by his father and several other Italian immigrants who settled in Southington and wanted a way to nurture camaraderie and their Italian heritage within their community. He was a member of the Polish Falcons and participated in their golf league and Kielbasa Open Golf Tournament every year.

Jim?s passion later in life was his golf game. He built a tremendous network of friends around the golf course and arose each day with the glee of knowing he?d be out on the course with his friends. He absolutely loved to play the game! He played in several leagues both structured and informal. He was a proud ?Obies Gang? and ?Champagne Boy? participant and a member of the Southington Country Club ? Men?s Club. He was a playing member of the Southington Country Club for as long as we can remember. He leaves behind far too many friends to mention. His passion and determination and his love for life and his family were un-paralleled. Everyone who knew him called him a ?special? person and that he was. He will be sorely missed by us all.

The Morelli family would like to extend our sincerest heartfelt thanks to EVERYONE at Hartford Hospital and especially the amazing professionals in their LVAD program. Doctors Hammond, Wencker, Gluck, Radogevic, from the coordinators to the surgeons to the medical support angels on the 9th floor, All of you - everyone in the program should be extremely proud of your exceptionally fine work! It takes a team to move mountains and your group is phenomenal!

Special thanks also to Dr. Kastoff, Dr. Schoenfeld, Dr. Conway. Dr. Craig Bogdanski his primary care giver, and to Beverly Mendez LVAD Coordinator, all of whom put our Dad at the very top of their priority lists and always went above and beyond the call of duty in support of him.

The Funeral will be held on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 9:45am from the Della Vecchia Funeral Home 211 N. Main St. Southington, to St Thomas Church 99 Bristol St., Southington for mass at 10:30am. Burial will be in St Thomas Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in his memory to the Recreation Program of the Southington ARC at 201 West Main St Plantsville, CT 06479 or the Kuhn Employment Opportunities at 1630 North Colony Rd ? PO Box 941 Meriden, CT 06450