James G. Pazzanese

Mr. James G. Pazzanese, of Belmont, died at home on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. He was 77.

Jim was born in Cambridge on December 3, 1946, a son of the late Anthony and Catherine (Taverna) Pazzanese, and was raised in the Fresh Pond neighborhood of Cambridge and Belmont. He was a graduate of Belmont High School before earning his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in Boston.

He worked for thirty-five years as a purchasing manager for the Polaroid Corporation before working in the same capacity for the Grace Corporation until his retirement.

Jim lived life to the fullest and understood that each day was a gift . . . he was a grateful lung transplant recipient in 2013. His family meant the world to him and he never missed an opportunity to let them know that. 

Inquisitive by nature he took many classes via the Regis College Lifelong Learning program. Prior to Covid he was an enthusiastic volunteer at the Watertown Boys and Girls Club and also at New England Donor Services in Waltham.

Jim never passed up a chance to be outdoors . . . whether it was a trip Fenway to watch the Sox . . . hiking in National Parks [or wherever his boots would take him] . . . or spending time at the beach on Bass River at the Cape . . . a place where he found great peace, light, joy and refreshment.

Jim was the husband of Kathleen ‘Kate’ Grimes; father of Cheryl O’Hearn (Dan) and James A. Pazzanese (Christy); grandfather of Rebecca Pazzanese (Troy Andrzejewski), Megan Geisler (Austin), James A. Pazzanses, Jr. and Andre O’Hearn; great-grandfather of Piper James Andrzejewski; brother of Cathy Travers (late George) and the late Ronald Pazzanese and Charles Pazzanese; brother-in-law of Carol Pazzanese, Timothy J. Grimes (Carolyn) and Thomas A. Grimes (Judith Hondo) and also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Jim’s life by gathering for his Funeral Mass on Tuesday, July 23rd at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 770 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown followed burial in Belmont Cemetery. A reception will be held at the family home, 177 Lexington Street, Belmont on Tuesday afternoon from 2 to 6 p.m.

To watch a broadcast [and recording] of Jim’s Funeral Mass please visit https://my.gather.app/remember/james-pazzanese

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lung Transplant Program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital – ATTN: Dr. Sharma – 15 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115 or to New England Donor Services, 60 First Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451.

Note: “a family member has been exposed to Covid in the last five days. They have tested negative. They will be masked during the funeral service. Masks will be offered in the back of the church for anyone who chooses.”