Obituary: James J. Pascarella, Sr. 72 of Branford, formerly East Haven

Obituary courtesy of W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home:

James J. Pascarella, Sr. of Branford passed away peacefully Thursday October 26, 2023 at Connecticut Hospice. He was the beloved husband of Elizabeth “Betsy” Kennedy Pascarella.

Jim was born on January 4, 1951 in New Haven, a son of the late Joseph “Duke” and Frances Williams Pascarella. He grew up in East Haven where he was an exceptional athlete in football and baseball. He attended the University of New Haven on a baseball scholarship and eventually was drafted by the Texas Rangers of Major League baseball. He played for three years in their minor league system until injuries forced him to retire. He went to work for Tilcon Connecticut as an operating engineer with Local 478 for 48 years until retiring in 2021. Jim was inducted into the East Haven High School Hall of Fame, the University of New Haven Hall of Fame and, just two weeks ago, into the Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame. Jim was a longtime friend of Bill W. and was a mentor and guide, helping many people in recovery. He was greatly admired and respected and loved by all who knew him.

An East Haven High School Hall of Fame, University of New Haven Hall of Fame and, Southern Connecticut Diamond Club Hall of Fame inductee.

Besides Betsy, Jim is survived by his children, James Joseph Dominic (Shana) Pascarella of Old Lyme, Cara (Todd) Cummings of Branford, Felicia (Josh) Viola of Higganum, and David, “DJ” Bartley of Wilmington, NC; his grandson Dom Lucas, brother Joseph (Cookie) Pascarella of North Haven and sister Linda (Butch) Cousins of East Haven.

A visitation will be held on Saturday November 4th from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, with a prayer service at 11:00, in the W. S. Clancy
Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405, or to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke @ninds.nih.gov.