James I. Calabrese

James I. Calabrese, 102, died peacefully on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Heights Crossing Senior Living in Brockton.  Born to Enrico and Lena (Palino) Calabrese in Librizzi, Sicily, he came to the United States as an infant and settled with his family in Boston.  He was raised and educated in Boston and was a graduate of Boston Latin School.  He then enrolled at Boston College, Class of 1945 and his education was interrupted by a stint in the US Army and World War II.  Jim proudly served for over three years and, after his Honorable Discharge, returned home and continued his education and graduated in 1948. During his time in the Army, he married Bridget “Bridie” Fitzgibbon, and together they enjoyed over 73 years of marriage and raised two beloved children, before her passing in 2018.  Jim worked in management for Prudential Life Insurance Company.  After his retirement from Prudential he founded AAction Insurance Agency in Brockton.  He was an avid gardener and a longtime, dedicated communicant of the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton.  Jim also enjoyed a good road trip and boating and loved his time on the North River on his boat “Ashling” which means “Dream” in Gaelic. In his free time, he enjoyed spending time with his family, especially Christmas Eve, and his 5 beloved granddaughters and their families.

Jim was the husband of the late Bridget P. “Bridie” (Fitzgibbon) Calabrese and the father of Christine A. Reilly and her husband Paul of Easton and James K. Calabrese and his wife Anne of South Carolina.  He was the loving Grampi of Kerri Reilly Lorenzo, Kathleen Fields, Jennifer Graziano, Kristin Settlers and Courtney Settlers.  He was predeceased by his sister Catherine Quinn and is also survived by 8 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

The Calabrese family wishes to thank the staff at Heights Crossing’s Compass Memory Care for their exceptional care of Jim over the past few years.  Also to  Autumn Hospice who were there with him in his final days.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton St., Stoughton on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 11 AM.  Visiting Hours Omitted.  Burial will be private at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.  Due to floral restrictions at the cemetery, Jim’s family requests that donations in his memory may be made to the Italian Home for Children, 1125 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, or at Give - Italian Home for Children  or to one’s favorite charity.