James Everett Ducatelli, (Jim) age 76 of McKinney, Texas passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on October 18th, 2017 after a brief illness caused by Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was born May 14, 1941 in New York City and married his high school sweetheart, Beatrice McBride Ducatelli, on October 3, 1960. He is preceded in death by his grandson Drew Ducatelli of Westlake, TX, parents James and Ella May Ducatelli of Staten Island, NY, sister Ella May Vitigliano, and brother-in-law Fred Vitigliano of Staten Island, NY. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bea Ducatelli, sister Barbara Twiste (Bob) of Hazlet, NJ, daughters Carolyn Blazeck (Edward) of Bel Air, MD, Cheryl Grech (James) of Colts Neck, NJ, son Thomas Ducatelli (Kristen), of Westlake, TX, 8 wonderful grandchildren, Lauren, Joe, Mike, Jimmy, Bobby, Ally, Jackie, Alex and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman from an early age, receiving the honor at the time, of being the youngest Eagle Scout in the history of the state of New York. In high school, Jim began purchasing and modifying old cars into street hot rods with his friends from Staten Island, NY. Jim met his wife Bea at New Dorp High School in Staten Island, NY. They enjoyed 57 years of marriage and countless memories together.
Jim demonstrated a unique commitment and passion in terms of his hobbies and interests, whether it be taking the entire family on multi-week backpacking trips into the farthest reaches of the Yosemite National forest requiring the use of pack mules to haul supplies, skiing every mountain on the east coast and New England, running in, and completing both the New York City and Virginia Beach Marathons or climbing the highest mountain peak in California, Mount Whitney. Jim’s passion for camping, skiing and all things outdoors were engrained in his children’s lives, who have repeated the same hikes throughout Yosemite with their own children.
Jim and Bea relocated to Matawan, NJ in 1965 where they raised their family while Jim commuted into New York City working for the JCPenney Company as a systems programmer. Jim changed his focus from cars to boats while in New Jersey, becoming an avid off-shore fisherman, spending any available time on his boat passing on the skills he learned to all his children. Jim ultimately earned his Commercial Captain’s license allowing him to captain charter fishing trips for tuna, shark and swordfish.
Jim’s career took him to McKinney, TX when JCPenney relocated to the Dallas area in 1988. Jim and Bea joined El Dorado Country Club in McKinney, where over the past 29 years, made many life- long friendships and memories. Jim held various positions within the El Dorado community including President of the Eldorado Men’s Golf Association.
Jim retired from the JCPenney Company after 32 years, ending his career as Director of Advanced Systems and Architecture. Since retirement Jim traveled extensively with Bea and their friends throughout the US and Europe. He remained an active golfer, playing several times per week with friends. Taking up photography again during his retirement, Jim was never without his cameras always acting as the unofficial photographer for every family gathering, holiday, or trip with friends.
Technology continued to be a big part of his life, as Jim would build computers for friends and family and provide PC and home network support for anyone that had a technical issue or was looking for advice on how to make their systems work.
Jim had a knack for solving problems, enjoying life to the fullest, and enjoying the company of his friends and family. Jim touched the lives of all who knew him, and will be forever missed by family and friends.
A mass will be held on Saturday, October 28, at 10:00 am at Saint Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church in McKinney, TX. Memorials may be made to the Drew Ducatelli Memorial Scholarship fund at 1816 Lakeshore Court, McKinney TX 75070, in memory of his late grandson who passed away in 2012 from pediatric cancer.