James Allen Spadaccini
January 12, 1934 – December 24, 2022
On Saturday, December 24, 2022, our beloved Jim passed from this earth. Husband,Father, Grandfather, Great- Grandfather, Son, Brother and Uncle, He will always live in our hearts .
James Allen Spadaccini was born on January 12, 1934, the second of four children, to Daniel and Mary Spadaccini, in New York City. The family moved to Yonkers, New York where Jim grew up and was a Graduate of Roosevelt H.S.
Jim’s hope was to become an Architect but that was not to be. Through a friend he got his first job with a well-known home builder and remodeler in the Westchester County, New York area. He was a quick learner and became a very skilled carpenter.
When the call came to join the service, Jim enlisted in the Navy, and because of his building experience, the Seabees was a natural fit. He spent his service years in Newfoundland and then the Bahamas, building housing and other buildings, which he later found out were tracking stations for the first Alan Shepard first flight into space.
Upon his discharge from the Service, Jim went to work for Kitchens by Herbert a company specializing in Kitchen design and remodeling. He then, as they say, got an offer he couldn’t refuse from Hallson Construction, to be their Forman. It was around this time Jim met and married Paula. After living for several years in Hartsdale, New York, and working for Hallson Jim decided he wanted to start his own Construction Company.
In 1972, Jim and Paula decided to move to Charlotte, Vermont. With three children in tow, off they went to their new home built by Jim, and it was then that Jim started Spadaccini Construction Company, Inc. His company became known for its quality of workmanship, great customer service and honesty. No advertising was needed. Jim’s customers were his best advertisements.
Even after retirement and moving to Oklahoma, he would get calls from his customers asking for his opinion and help with their projects.
Around the same time Jim and Paula moved to Vermont, the newly organized Charlotte – Shelburne Rotary Club was established and Jim became a very active member. He was very proud of his accomplishments as a Rotarian. First as president, then as an Assistant Governor, and for over ten years Director of the Foreign Exchange Program for Vermont and Northern New Hampshire. The club members used to call him Mr. Rotary. Who can forget all the Car Raffles Jim emceed, the special board Jim created for the event and the blue velvet bag that held the 100 ping pong balls. Of the more than a hundred people at those car raffles, Jim knew each one and made calling their number and name something funny, even though it meant no car for them that year. Jim was honored by The Charlotte-Shelburne Club by being given a Paul Harris Fellow Award for his contributions to Rotary.
Upon retirement Jim and Paula moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to be closer to their daughter Dena and family. Saying goodbye to their Vermont family, and the many many wonderful friends and customers he made over the years was difficult. Jim’s Poker Pals of 25 years, his bowling buddies and fellow Rotarians would be truly missed.
Jim is survived by his wife of 54 years, Paula Povlin Spadaccini , son Steve Spadaccini and Michelle of Charlotte, Vermont, daughter Dena Spadaccini Markey and son-in-law Kevin of Edmond, Oklahoma and daughter Jill Spadaccini Mclean and son-in- law Roy of Boston, New York. Six grandchildren, Sarah Markey Golay (Steven), Kristen Markey Campbell (Ben), Jessica Spadaccini Bissonette (Michael), Maria Spadaccini, Alexander Mclean (Elise) and Hunter Mclean.
Ten great- grandchildren, Blakely and Luke Golay, Benson,Ellison and Greyson Campbell,Jameson and Molly Bissonette and Isla, Harrison and Baby McLean . His brother-in- law Ira Povlin and his wife Nancy of Altoona, Florida and many nieces and nephews.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Mary Spadaccini, sister Joan and brother-in- law Robert Molinatti and sister Elsie Ciaffa.
A special thank you to dear friends Mary and Joe Weber of Edmond, Oklahoma for all their help and support.
To honor Jim’s memory, contributions can be made to the Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary Club.
Service to be held on January 6, 2023, at Mathews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma at 10:00 AM
A Remembrance gathering will take place in Vermont at a date to be determined by the family. Notice will be in the Burlington Free Press.