James Marzelli Jr.

James Marzelli, 95, formerly of Bridgewater and Monument Beach in Massachusetts and most recently of Walhalla, SC, went peacefully home to the Lord on March 21, 2025. He was born in Auburn, ME to the late James and Marie (Pelaggi) Marzelli.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Joanne (Belmore) Marzelli, his daughter Maureen Marzelli-White, his grandson Jared White and his sisters, Arlene M. Para and Carolyn T. Gallagher. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Robert) Payton and his son James (Linda) Marzelli, his 10 living grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his wife Helen Belmore Marzelli and was “Uncle Jim” to her eight adult children, their spouses and children. He was a communicant of St. Francis Catholic Church in Walhalla.

Mr. Marzelli taught vocational education and academic subjects for the Boston School System. Following his retirement, he was ordained a Deacon in the Fall River Diocese in 1986. In 2001, Archbishop (now Cardinal) Seán P. O'Malley awarded Jim the Church’s Marian Medal for his outstanding devotion and service to St John’s Parish of Pocasset. Jim and Joanne also volunteered much of their time and experience assisting the Marists (The Society of Mary) at their seminary in Framingham.

In addition to his Deaconry, Jim and Joanne served two years as lay missionaries in Peru, accompanied by their children, for the Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, founded by Richard Cardinal Cushing. James and Joanne later traveled to Jamaica and Honduras for their lay missionary work. They also volunteered for the Peace Corp, serving in Mexico and Bolivia.

Jim was a carpenter and master craftsman. While a religious and devoted family man, he was as tough as the nails, he drove into his many residential and commercial projects. While living in Monument Beach, he would often be seen driving in his truck with his pet Macaw parrot perched on his shoulder. When living in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Walhalla he kept a loaded shotgun beside his chair to frighten away bears for he feared they would be injured by the very aggressive bird in its porch aviary.

Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him, remembered for his dedication to his family, his community, and for his service to God and the Roman Catholic Church. His wake will take place at the Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 Macarthur Blvd, Bourne, MA 02532, on Sunday, April 6th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. There will be a final viewing at the funeral home at 9:00 am on Monday, April 7th followed by a procession to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 841 Shore Rd in Pocasset for a Funeral Mass at 10:00 am. Burial to follow at South Monument Cemetery, County Rd, Monument Beach Thereafter family and friends are invited to gather The Bridge View Grill, 109 Trowbridge Rd, Bourne in celebration of Jim’s wonderful and fulfilling life.