James Acri
James Acri, 86, passed away on October 11, 2013 at his home in Prospect, with family by his side. He was born in New Haven on June 16, 1927 to the late Pasquale and Grace Solimini Acri. Jim is remembered by his loving wife of 65 years, Jean Ann Acri (Kelly); daughters, Paula Magnuson of West Palm Beach, FL, Michelle DeFeo and her husband Albie of Branford, Gina Acri of Seymour, and Christine Hinckley and her husband Richard of Prospect; sons, Shawn Acri and his wife Cynthia of North Haven and James Acri Jr. of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and 1 great great-grandchild. Beside his parents, Jim was predeceased by his siblings, Monica Pellegrino, Pasquale Jr., Anthony, and Ralph Acri. After high school, at the age of 17, Jim joined the Merchant Marines and then the US Army after the occupation of Japan. Jim spent his career as an electrician and before retirement was the main supervisor at Cable Waves. He grew up in New Haven and later raised his family in East Haven. Jim was a lifelong parishioner at St. Michael's Parish in New Haven. After retirement, Jim and Jean became snow birds and spent their winters in Florida. Above anything else, family was most important to Jim, especially his grandchildren, whom he lived for. Friends may visit with his family on Wednesday, October 16th from 5 to 7 p.m.at BEECHER &BENNETT, 2300 Whitney Ave, Hamden. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated in St. Michael's Church, 29 Wooster Place, New Haven on Thursday the 17th at 10 a.m. followed by interment with Military Honors in All Saints Mausoleum. Contributions in Jim's memory may be sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital, http://www.stjude.org.
Dear Acri Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time. Mr. Acri was a wonderful, kind, family man….we will truly miss his great smile, his words of advice…he was very special! xo
Dear Jean, Shawn & Family – So sorry to hear about Jim’s passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayer are with you all. Sincerest condolences. Bob & Miriam King
I had the pleasure of working with Jim for many years at Cablewave/RFS. a GREAT GUY…Sorry for your loss
I’m so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with yawl at this very hard time and always.
My deepest thoughts are with you Shawn and family. Memories are wonderful and you have some great ones. love Bobbie
My Father He was always there for myself and family and friends, all you had to do was ask, he would help in any way he can and never asked for anything in return. He taught me young that if you lend a friend money don’t expect it back and you won’t lose the friendship. Don’t spend more than you can afford to pay back that month, and many other financial wisdoms that of course I did not listen to, but he was right. He showed me what hard work was and never be afraid to try something new to make a life for yourself, a lesson learned is a lesson earned. Nothing is beneath you or above you, take life head on and you will make it in this world, was he right, of course he was, did I listen, for the most part. He taught me that a man is only as good as his word and to maintain that integrity because that is all that people have to know you. A lie is harder to remember than the truth, don’t make promises you don’t intend to or are unable to keep. If you do a favor, that is what it is don’t expect anything in return. Was he right, absolutely, did I listen, as much as I could. He showed me to have fun in life with what you have to work with and appreciate the things you have, not what you don’t have. He taught me to enjoy the simple things and nothing lasts forever good or bad. He worked alot but when I wanted to go fishing at 5:00 in the morning, he got up and took me and would get his rest under a tree and wait untill I was done. He always made time for me even though he was exhausted and fit in quality time whenever he was able, did I remember this, Yes. He worked double shifts constantly to provide what we needed, and to take us on vacations every year, good vacations like Disneyland, Canada, Florida, Colorado, Maine and when we were on those vacations he spared no expense, we enjoyed ourselves at the expense of his hard work. He loved us and gave us more than we deserved, did we appreciate it, yes, more so now, in hind sight. He taught me not to take any crap from anyone and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and fight if you have to, no man is any better than you and let them know it. You stand up for what is right and don’t back down, always do the right thing and you won’t have any regrets, help people in true need and don’t be played for a sucker, did I listen, indeed I did. Sometimes to a fault. My Father is everything to me, he taught me hard lessons, how to be a Man a Father and Husband, He picked me up when I hit bottom, he fixed me when I was broken he healed me when I was sick, he taught me to laugh how to help those in need, everything I would need to make it in life. My Father is the most respected and respectable Man I know and will ever know, he is truly the kind of Man I could only hope to be, I will try to live up to his standards, he set the bar high and maintained it his whole life, he is one of a kind, I will miss him dearly, remember him always and Love him forever, Thankyou Dad for everything, Save a place for me near you and I will rejoice with you when my time comes, untill we meet again know I loved you with all my heart. The world is lost and has lost a truly great man, Heaven is now a better place with you there waiting. Your Son, Shawn
My Father He was always there for myself and family and friends, all you had to do was ask, he would help in any way he can and never asked for anything in return. He taught me young that if you lend a friend money don’t expect it back and you won’t lose the friendship. Don’t spend more than you can afford to pay back that month, and many other financial wisdoms that of course I did not listen to, but he was right. He showed me what hard work was and never be afraid to try something new to make a life for yourself, a lesson learned is a lesson earned. Nothing is beneath you or above you, take life head on and you will make it in this world, was he right, of course he was, did I listen, for the most part. He taught me that a man is only as good as his word and to maintain that integrity because that is all that people have to know you. A lie is harder to remember than the truth, don’t make promises you don’t intend to or are unable to keep. If you do a favor, that is what it is don’t expect anything in return. Was he right, absolutely, did I listen, as much as I could. He showed me to have fun in life with what you have to work with and appreciate the things you have, not what you don’t have. He taught me to enjoy the simple things and nothing lasts forever good or bad. He worked alot but when I wanted to go fishing at 5:00 in the morning, he got up and took me and would get his rest under a tree and wait untill I was done. He always made time for me even though he was exhausted and fit in quality time whenever he was able, did I remember this, Yes. He worked double shifts constantly to provide what we needed, and to take us on vacations every year, good vacations like Disneyland, Canada, Florida, Colorado, Maine and when we were on those vacations he spared no expense, we enjoyed ourselves at the expense of his hard work. He loved us and gave us more than we deserved, did we appreciate it, yes, more so now, in hind sight. He taught me not to take any crap from anyone and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and fight if you have to, no man is any better than you and let them know it. You stand up for what is right and don’t back down, always do the right thing and you won’t have any regrets, help people in true need and don’t be played for a sucker, did I listen, indeed I did. Sometimes to a fault. My Father is everything to me, he taught me hard lessons, how to be a Man a Father and Husband, He picked me up when I hit bottom, he fixed me when I was broken he healed me when I was sick, he taught me to laugh how to help those in need, everything I would need to make it in life. My Father is the most respected and respectable Man I know and will ever know, he is truly the kind of Man I could only hope to be, I will try to live up to his standards, he set the bar high and maintained it his whole life, he is one of a kind, I will miss him dearly, remember him always and Love him forever, Thankyou Dad for everything, Save a place for me near you and I will rejoice with you when my time comes, untill we meet again know I loved you with all my heart. The world is lost and has lost a truly great man, Heaven is now a better place with you there waiting. Your Son, Shawn
To the Acri Family: My family sends our deepest sympathy and regrets, we have lost our dearest friend whom we loved and was very special to us, mr acri was like our family for 38 yrs, his loving kindness and compassion for myself, my children, and grandchildren who were special to him will never be forgotten, and he will remain in our hearts for the rest of our lives, we have been truely blessed to have had him and your family by our sides. love Mary , the children and grand children.