JAMES ROTUNDO
SHERBURNE – James A. “Jim” Rotundo, 95, passed away peacefully on Monday, Jan. 20, 2014 at Chenango Memorial Hospital.
Born in Sherburne, NY on March 30, 1918, Jim was the son of Rocco and Jenny (Giaquinto) Rotundo. He graduated from Norwich High School where he was a very proud member of the storied 1937 unbeaten, untied, and un-scored upon Tornado football team, all of whom were inducted into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.
Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. He was honorably discharged in November, 1945 and returned to Norwich. In 1948, Jim began a career as a postal clerk with the U.S. Postal Service that continued until his retirement in 1986.
On May 11, 1946, he married Catherine M. Paino at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Together, they raised five children including two sets of twins. They enjoyed 63 years of wedded bliss until the death of his “dear wife Kate” in 2010. Jim is survived by his children and their spouses, Mary Jane and Tom Mazzeo of Medford, LI; Jeanne and Marty Flanagan of Scotia, NY; Jimmy and Sandy Rotunno, of Dewitt, NY; and Kathy and Kurt Pelton of Sloansville, NY. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Nathaniel Pelton and his wife Becky; Rebecca Pelton; Kristin Brown and her husband, Adam; Lauren Mazzeo and Joey Rotunn; and two great grandsons, Harrison and Lucas Brown; and two sisters, Frances Rotundo, of Norwich, NY; and Antoinette Simmons, of Littleton, NH. Many nieces and nephews also survive. James was predeceased by his wife, Catherine, a son, Joseph Rotundo, and brothers and sisters Mike, Paul, Joe, Mary and Susie.
Jim was a lifelong member of St. Bartholomew’s Church and served the church in many capacities over the years. His dedication to service was his lifelong mission.
Next to the love of his family was Jim’s love of golf. As he would tell it, faced with the choice of pea picking or caddying to earn money during the Great Depression, Jim chose the latter and soon learned the game of golf at Canasawacta Country Club. He eventually became a golf teacher to many at the club and worked on the grounds crew with his brother, Joe, for the next eight decades. During those many years of playing golf, Jim had nine holes-in-one and was able to participate in 47 out of 48 Member-Guest Golf Tournaments until retiring from competition at the age of 88. In August of 2004, he was inducted into the Greater Norwich Golfers’ Hall of Fame as a charter member.
Jim will be remembered by all as the special person he was … a man proud of his Italian heritage and humble beginnings and his belief in hard, honest work to succeed. He enjoyed life to the fullest and was always thankful for his many blessings throughout his long and loving life.
Friends and family are invited to call from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Wilson Funeral. Parish Minister Mary Ann Bodiot will lead the family in a wake service at 3:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Jim at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 27 at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Paul’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jim may be made to the Memorial Fund of St. Bartholomew’s Church, 73 East Main St., Norwich, NY, 13815.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting the Wilson Funeral Home website at www.wilsonfh.com.