James "Jim" Di Dio

Jim was born in 1937 in Detroit, where he grew up and attended Aeromechanics High School, beginning his lifelong passion for mechanics and engineering. After graduating, Jim began working in the mailroom at Chrysler and shortly thereafter, met the love of his life, Donna, whom he married in 1960.

Jim’s work ethic and dedication helped him advance from his first job in the Chrysler mailroom into a new career path in drafting and design, where he worked hard to support Donna and the four children they raised together.

Jim was a U.S. Air Force reservist and during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was called to active duty, leaving his wife and family and reporting for duty before the conflict was resolved peacefully. His intellectual curiosity and passion for learning motivated him to earn a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy while working full time and raising his family. Jim ultimately retired as a Manager in the Electrical Systems Design Group at Chrysler after a 44 year career.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends, and anyone he met. He enjoyed tinkering with anything that was broken or needed fixing, and he always had an idea or tool that could be used to help.

Outside of his family, his career, his military service, and his faith, Jim was interested in stereo systems/electronics, fishing, HAM Radio, model rocketry, RC cars, camping, and riding dirt bikes - but his main passion was working on cars, attending car shows, and cruising in his classic cars with Donna.

He was a dedicated, devoted, loving husband to Donna, father to Mary Beth (Mike), Shelly (Jeff), Paula and Jimmy (Kelly); grandfather to Kyle (Christine), Michael (Jess), Cody (Kim), Lindsay (John), Alyssa (Bryce), Jordyn (Jack), Cameron, Caroline, Bridget, Alaina and Alex; and great grandfather to Madison. He and Donna were always enthusiastic supporters of all their children and grandchildren, and never missed the opportunity to attend a sporting event, dance recital, theater performance or graduation. Jim had a sharp wit and great sense of humor, and he could always make his family laugh, even in his final days.

He also leaves behind a sister, JoAnn; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen Ditty (Di Dio), his brother, Paul, his brother-in-law, Joe (JoAnn), and his sister-in-law, Mary (Paul).

A visitation for Jim will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 2 pm to 8 pm at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038. An instate will occur Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10:30 am until the time of Mass at 11 am at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 14115 14 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, or donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com for the Di Dio family.

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James Lawrence Di Dio, 85, passed away on April 17, 2023 in his home in Roseville, Michigan, surrounded by his loving family, following a brief and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jim was born in 1937 in Detroit, where he grew up and attended Aeromechanics High School, beginning his lifelong passion for mechanics and engineering. After graduating, Jim began working in the mailroom at Chrysler and shortly thereafter, met the love of his life, Donna, whom he married in 1960.

Jim’s work ethic and dedication helped him advance from his first job in the Chrysler mailroom into a new career path in drafting and design, where he worked hard to support Donna and the four children they raised together.

Jim was a U.S. Air Force reservist and during the Cuban Missile Crisis, he was called to active duty, leaving his wife and family and reporting for duty before the conflict was resolved peacefully. His intellectual curiosity and passion for learning motivated him to earn a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Engineering at the University of Detroit Mercy while working full time and raising his family. Jim ultimately retired as a Manager in the Electrical Systems Design Group at Chrysler after a 44 year career.

He was always willing to lend a helping hand to his family, friends, and anyone he met. He enjoyed tinkering with anything that was broken or needed fixing, and he always had an idea or tool that could be used to help.

Outside of his family, his career, his military service, and his faith, Jim was interested in stereo systems/electronics, fishing, HAM Radio, model rocketry, RC cars, camping, and riding dirt bikes - but his main passion was working on cars, attending car shows, and cruising in his classic cars with Donna.

He was a dedicated, devoted, loving husband to Donna, father to Mary Beth (Mike), Shelly (Jeff), Paula and Jimmy (Kelly); grandfather to Kyle (Christine), Michael (Jess), Cody (Kim), Lindsay (John), Alyssa (Bryce), Jordyn (Jack), Cameron, Caroline, Bridget, Alaina and Alex; and great grandfather to Madison. He and Donna were always enthusiastic supporters of all their children and grandchildren, and never missed the opportunity to attend a sporting event, dance recital, theater performance or graduation. Jim had a sharp wit and great sense of humor, and he could always make his family laugh, even in his final days.

He also leaves behind a sister, JoAnn; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Helen Ditty (Di Dio), his brother, Paul, his brother-in-law, Joe (JoAnn), and his sister-in-law, Mary (Paul).

A visitation for Jim will be held Thursday, April 20, 2023 from 2 pm to 8 pm at Resurrection Funeral Home, 40800 Hayes Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038. An instate will occur Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10:30 am until the time of Mass at 11 am at St. Malachy Catholic Church, 14115 14 Mile Rd, Sterling Heights, MI 48312.

Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, or donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.resurrectionfuneralhome.com for the Di Dio family.