James Patisteas, loving husband of 66 years to Elaine (Patnaude) Patisteas, died surrounded by family October 23 at St. Luke’s Hospital after suffering an apparent heart attack. He was preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday on Nov. 4.
To those who knew him as dad — George and his wife Kathryn Patisteas; Kathleen and her husband Andre LaPerriere — he was a supportive, generous, and loving presence, eager to offer advice and assistance on matters large and small.
His love of family made him a powerful role model as his children became spouses and parents. They will long remember his help with renovation projects that exhausted those much younger, building furniture meant to withstand nuclear attack, and offering blackjack tips to those who didn’t share his casino-loving gene. He never tired of bragging about the accomplishments of his children and their spouses.
To those who knew him as grandpa — Evan (husband of Siona Patisteas), Dan (husband of Erin Patisteas), and Adam (husband of Emily Giudice); Melissa LaPerriere (wife of Carlos Lopes), Jeffrey LaPerriere (husband of Kristina), and Katelyn Murray (wife of Ryan Murray), he was a super fan, valiantly trying to attend every athletic event, performance, and milestone occasion, even if they sometimes overlapped. His awkward hugs, never-missed “Happy Birthday” renditions on the phone that always ended with “and many more,” and pride in their accomplishments, especially if they included carpentry, are memories they will cherish forever.
Eventually, Jim’s family grew to include 12 great-grandchildren, the most recent one born less than a month before his death. He reveled in their presence at frequent family gatherings.
And finally to the woman who knew him as Jim — and ‘hon” — he was her best friend, her rock, and the love of her life. Not even a hurricane during their honeymoon could blow them off course. Through almost seven decades, they grew ever closer as enthusiastic parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Her greatest accomplishment, though, may have been convincing him in later years to eat kale — and enjoy it. That’s a love we all hope to be able to emulate.
Jim’s lasting legacy was his love of family. He stayed in frequent contact with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins as far away as Australia.
A lifelong resident of New Bedford, Jim was the son of Evangelos and Olga (Bakakea) Patisteas. He leaves a sister, Stella Monteiro of Fairhaven. He was the brother of the late George Patisteas, Pat Nowjack, and Arthur Patistea.
He was a four-and-a-half-year veteran of the USS Navy, proudly serving as Fire Control Technician 3rd Class aboard the USS Missouri during the Korean War. He was motivated to enlist several months short of his 18th birthday after the death of his brother George aboard the USS Bunker Hill during World War II.
Jim spent his career at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. in New Bedford, first as a factory worker, then as president of the United Rubber Workers Local 290 for over a decade until his retirement in the early 1990s.
As much as we would love to share a celebration of Jim with all the people whose lives he touched, the presence of COVID is forcing us to keep attendance at the indoor services to a small group of family members.
Arrangements are in the care of the ROCK FUNERAL HOME, 1285 Ashley Blvd. New Bedford, MA 02745.
To leave a note of condolence: www.rock-funeralhome.com
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
v.1.9.6