James Louis Clementi

James L. Clementi, age 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 21, 2022. Jim was born August 28, 1930 to the late Luigi and Louisa (Colzani) Clementi in Joliet. Jim has been a Joliet resident all his life. On July 10, 1954 he married Eleanor Ward at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and together they built their home from the ground up where they raised their four children.

James’s was proceeded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Eleanor (Ward) Clementi along with her parents Edward and Eleanor (Iverson) Ward, his two brothers and a sister in childhood, Doris Clementi, Angelo (Mary) Clementi and Richard (Adele) Clementi, his cousin Louie (Jeanne) Colognesi, best man and best friend Don (Ellen) Seaman.

Surviving are his children: James Clementi, Laurie (Omar) Kostelny, Bob (Catherine) Clementi, Julie (Don) Kinsella and ten grandchildren Tina (Ken), Chris, Mike (Chelsea), Matt (Colleen), John, Kelly, Ali, Lauren, Scott, Rachel and eight great grandchildren, cousin Johnny and Norma Colognesi and his lifelong friend Ellen Seamen.

As a proud graduate of Joliet Catholic High school class of 1949, Jim worked at Joliet Ammunition Plant for Uniroyal before retiring to pursue a second career in the Joliet diocese at Holy Family Parish where he touched the lives of countless people over 15 years.

As a founding member of the Guardian Angel Home Alumni Association where he served as vice president spearheading numerous projects including the renovation of the grotto and Alumni reunion picnics. Jim’s special interest and hobbies included calling countless games of Bingo at Holy Family School and Guardian Angel home and participated on a bowling league until the age of 90 and he always looked forward to his annual family trips to White Pines State Park.

Some of his favorite times were spent with his family going to 8:30 mass at Holy Family, then out to breakfast, taking trips to Vegas, and taking bus trips to the casino. Jim was an avid fan of Notre Dame football, St. Louis Cardinal Baseball, and his Alma Mater, Joliet Catholic football attending every game including the state football championship this past November watching his beloved Hilltoppers take home the trophy! Jim was proud of his Italian heritage and was a supporter of Italian events in his community. He was a hardworking man of many talents; he could fix anything and was always the one everyone called when they needed help. He had a heart of gold. James lived life to the fullest and was the life of the party, his family and friends were his key to happiness. He will be missed dearly.

As papa would say, I’m upstairs making the wine.

Family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Friday, February 25, 2022 from 3:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Rd, Joliet,IL. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 600 Brook Forest Ave., Shorewood,IL . Interment will follow and James with be laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers memorials to be made to Joliet Catholic Academy.