James A. Broggini

BARRE - James Angelo Broggini of Barre passed away at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph on Friday, August 11, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. James (Jim) the son of Margherita (Moretti) and Cirillo Broggini was born on February 8, 1929 in the Barre City Hospital.

An original “North Ender” he attended school at Ward Five and North Barre and graduated from Spaulding High School in the class of 1947 where he attended drafting classes. In 1952, Jim enlisted and served in the U.S. Army traveling to Germany, France and Italy. Following service to his country, he came home to Barre and operated a drafting service with his childhood friend, Charles Gianonni.

On September 10, 1955, Jim married Maria Carcoba at St Monica’s Church and raised four children, Maria Broggini Beede, Martin (“Tino”) James Broggini, Juanita Broggini Plante, all of Barre, and Margarita Broggini Carroll of Andover, Massachusetts. Following their marriage, Jim became a draftsman for Rock of Ages Corporation and for North Barre Granite Company until his retirement.

Jim and Maria loved to travel - Spain, Italy, Hawaii, and Florida became favorites, along with trips to Maine. There were yearly trips to Montreal, Canada to pick up the special grapes he needed to make wine in his father’s wine-making equipment. This was a great joy to him. With family being of utmost importance in his life, he spent many hours attending events and celebrations for his children and grandchildren.   He loved playing cribbage, pitch, golf, bowling, and horse-shoes over the years. He especially enjoyed the time he spent with his son, “Tino”, selling cotton candy at the Annual Mountain State Fair in Ashville, NC each fall. Poker nights with home-made pizza and hot fudge sundaes served by Maria were favorites of Jim’s; and, later in life, Friday morning doughnuts and coffee with his Mutuo buddies, a quick game or two of billiards followed by lunch became a weekly staple. Over the years, Jim enjoyed Saturday evening dinners at the Wayside restaurant with his close friend Drue Pratt.

A life member of the Italian Mutuo Soccorso Club (with more than 50 years of membership), he held many positions throughout the years. He was instrumental in bringing Bingo into the Club activities. He served as Newsletter Editor of the Barre Kiwanis Club, and sat on committees for the Honors for Scholars Banquet and Kiwanis Auction. His memberships include the Barre Elks, Canadian Club and American Legion. He also volunteered for several years at the Barre Opera House and the Central Vermont Hospital, including performing in the 1974 Central Vermont Hospital Follies with Maria at his side. Jim coordinated the North End Golden Era Reunion for many years and was a devout member of St. Monica’s Church.

He had ten grandchildren: Martin Joseph and Maria (Mia) Beede Snetsinger; Anthony James and John Mathew Broggini; Angela Plante Macri and Christopher Joseph Plante; Joseph Byrne, Anna Margarita, James Francis, and Katherine Carcoba Carroll; and one great-grandson , Dakota Michael Beede. Jim is pre-deceased by his parents, Margherita (Moretti) and Cirillo Broggini, his sister, Anna Broggini Puente, and his beloved wife Maria Carcoba Broggini, who passed away on September 20, 1999.

With the assistance of his children, Tino’s wife, Carolyn MacLeod Broggini, wonderful caregivers, and lifelong friends, Jim was provided with comfort in his home until June of 2017.

Calling hours will be from 6-8 p.m., Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 18, 2017 in St. Monica Church. Burial will follow in the Hope Cemetery in Barre.   For a memorial guestbook visit: www.hookerwhitcomb.com

Contributions may be made to the Last Mile Ride, c/o Gifford Medical Center, PO Box 2000, Randolph, VT 05060.

So, a life well lived or as Jim would say - “Other than that …”